This year’s theme was ‘Forced to Flee’ which inspired a moving and thought-provoking selection of poems on the themes of displacement and seeking refuge.

8,500 people survived thanks to the actions of the Irish Navy crews in 2015 and many more will be saved in the coming weeks.

Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo of the Syrian city of Aleppo to speak at one of Rome's most famed tourist attractions about the plight of Christians.

Irish government urged to formally recognise genocide as criteria under the UN Convention have been met in Syria and Iraq: Aid to the Church in Need.

"This crisis will not end until a political solution is put in place. Through the EU, Ireland has a valuable role to play," says Trócaire Director.

Peace and security policies were at the centre of the debate of the spring plenary assembly of COMECE's bishops in Brussels.

CofI Primate appeals to people to do more to respond to the “plight and devastation of those who carry the cross of suffering in the Middle East."

Joint declaration pleads on behalf of world's persecuted Christians especially in the Middle East where families, villages and cities are being exterminated.

“So-called ISIS/Da’ish is committing genocide against Christians and Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities."

Bishop John McAreavey compares land grab to 16th century Irish plantations and calls for recognition of the state of Palestine by Ireland.

"Remember you too were treated harshly abroad, building London’s underground, the mines of Yorkshire, in the docks of Boston or in the new cities of Sydney and Perth."

One of the aims of the visit is to learn more about the impact of the Syrian crisis throughout the region and to discuss how schools and churches can link up.

Jesuit Fr Peter McVerry warns that there are a lot more people “on the edge of homelessness” than is realised.

“Men, women and children suffer because of weapons of mass destruction and we fail to respond, seduced by weapons of mass distraction.”

Ireland “cannot claim to be a progressive society if we choose to leave so many in poverty” - Bishop William Crean of Cloyne.

As the country prepares to welcome refugees, we are "challenged to engage with the poverty, homelessness sub-standard accommodation that many are living in".

Church leaders express concern for Christians and other minority groups threatened by extinction in the Middle East.

Synod Fathers call for a more welcoming Church for cohabitating couples and Catholics who have divorced and civilly remarried.

Fr Jacques Mourad released after five months as Pope says he is following with great concern what is happening in Syria, Iraq, Jerusalem and West Bank.

Aid to the Church in Need to publish ‘Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2013-15’.

Instrumentum laboris deemed to be overly preoccupied with the problems of marriage and family life and doesn't provide enough encouragement.

Messianic Jew and former Muslim share their stories promoting reconciliation between Arabs and Jews in churches around Ireland.

“Once again the ugly consequences of war have caused multitudes of good people to take great risks as they seek refuge in foreign lands.”

Irish bishops take strong solidarity stance as they call for a generous response to the needs of refugees.

Parish communities asked to consider whether there are vacant properties - houses, granny-flats or spare-rooms which might accommodate refugees.

Senator Rónán Mullen among eighty politicians from around the world to discuss the persecution of Christians in the Middle East with Pontiff.

Parishes across Ireland urged to ring their bells for up to fifteen minutes and express solidarity with Christians suffering in the Middle East.

“I renew the hope that the international community not remain silent and inert in front of these intolerable crimes."

Between November 2013 and October 2014, 4,344 Christians were killed “for reasons closely linked to their faith” and 1,062 churches were attacked.

"Must we forget that Saul was converted on the road to Damascus? Wasn't he baptized, confirmed and ordained a priest and sent on his great mission in the world by the Church of Syria that had its beginnings in Damascus?"