Bishops led by Archbishop Martin declare ‘migration is good for the Church and the economy’
Catholic Bishops led by Archbishop Eamon Martin noted how immigrants have ‘made a higher fiscal contribution than Irish-born residents over the past two decades’ as the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference met at Maynooth.
The Bishops received a report from the Council for Migrants, Refugees and Justice & Peace on the contribution made by migrants to both the Church in Ireland and the economy at the conference’s Autumn 2026 General Meeting.
In a joint statement they noted: “Migrant people are a welcome presence in so many parishes today, where their vibrancy, prayerfulness and contribution are greatly valued. Migrants bring to our parishes and dioceses new perspectives from their own cultures and traditions which enrich the life and vitality of our faith communities in so many ways.”
The Bishops’ Council cited recent ESRI research (2026) which found that ‘migrants entirely finance their own share of public goods’, and that immigrants have made a higher fiscal contribution than Irish-born residents over the past two decades.
The report indicated migrants in Ireland are younger and more likely to be employed than the non-migrant population, contributing to their positive impact on public finances.
They expressed concern about false information and extremist attitudes.
“We are concerned at a progressive hardening and polarisation in Ireland on asylum and migration. Myths and misinformation on these issues are widely disseminated, and especially so online. It is only just and fair that public opinions and attitudes are informed by evidence and facts.”
“Misinformation has real life consequences. Inflammatory assertions fuel fears for safety in communities and heighten perceived risks from specific cohorts of migrants,” the Bishops said.