Archbishop Eamon Martin has not received correspondence from Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien asking the Catholic Church to identify land or vacant buildings that could be used to tackle the housing crisis. That's according to a spokesperson for Dr Martin, who was responding to an article in today's Irish Times that said the minister had written to the Primate of All Ireland in recent days.
The article stated that "sources with knowledge of the letter sent to the archbishop said the intention is to open dialogue with the church on the possibility that its lands or buildings could be used as part of efforts to ramp up housing supply".
A statement issued this evening on behalf of the Primate of All Ireland says a letter was not received.
It says that, when he receives it, Archbishop Martin will consider the letter's contents carefully and, in consultation with his brother bishops, will reflect on it during the autumn general meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference in October.
The statement points out that Catholic social teaching recognises that housing is a universal human right, with corresponding responsibilities on societies to honour that right.
It says housing and homelessness is a regular item for discussion during the plenary meetings of bishops and often highlighted immediately preceding the State's annual budget and in advance of general elections.
It notes numerous statements made by the faith sector in recent years, calling "for radical action" from the State to alleviate the housing and homelessness problem - including at the General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference following the visit by Pope Francis to Ireland.
At that meeting, a pastoral letter on housing and homelessness called A Room at the Inn? was launched.
It addressed the causes of the housing crises and offered solidarity with anyone experiencing homelessness.
