The Legacy Of Irish Missionaries Lives On

Senator Rónán Mullen launches book which explores the impact of the work of Irish missionaries in Africa, Asia and South America.

Pictured (from left): Seamus O'Gorman, Deputy CEO, Misean Cara; Eamonn Meehan, Executive Director, Trocaire, Sr. Kathleen McGarvey, President, Irish Mission Union, Matt Moran, author, Roz Crowley, Onstream Publications and Senator Rónán Mullen, guest speaker.

The official launch of author Matt Moran's The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On took place at St. Paul's Church, Arran Quay, Dublin on October 19th. The book includes a foreward by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On contains a series of articles and reflections from across four continents by missionaries, leaders of church and state, diplomats, documentary-makers, journalists, development consultants, academics, as well as some beneficiaries of the work of missionaries including a tribal chief in Nigeria.

The early chapters focus on the legacy, dedication, recognition of the work of Irish missionaries while also getting the views of members of Irish Congregations in the Global South on the past and future. It goes on to explore the impact of the missionary work, or 'added value' as in the words of Lucy Franks of Misean Cara, by chonicling how the missionaries paved the way for the formation of Irish Aid, the role of faith in International Development, advocacy work and the involvement by Irish religious in founding local congregations. The book also reflects on succession planning, the contribuition of lay volunteers to mission and the advent of Parish twinning as a new bridge between Ireland and the Global South. The author, Matt Moran, is a former chairman of Misean Cara and also headed up fundraising and development for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Pictured (from left): Sr. Hanaa Ishak, OLA, Sr. Julie Doran, OLA, Senator Rónán Mullen and Sr. Kathleen Mc Garvey, OLA and President of the Irish Missionary Union.

According to Rónán Mullen, it is estimated that over 30,000 Irish women and men 'heard and answered the call to go and preach the Good News to all the nations' between 1920 and 1970 and reflects the 'enormous achievement by the people of one small country. They (the missionaries) were not agents of any colonising power, nor did they seek to impose their national culture in their work to spread the universal beauty of the Gospel.'

In her foreword, Mary Robinson highighted the role missionaries played in championing the welfare of women along with their work in traditional fields such as education and health. She also noted that 'congregations built-up hundreds of thousands of supporters around Ireland, and this mass movement greatly influenced popular support for the Irish Aid programme' during it's inception in the early 1970's. During the launch last week, Rónán Mullen went on to describe the impact of missionaries standing on the international stage:

"This mass influence of missionaries at home drove the whole spirit of Ireland internationally. It comes down to values of dedication, competence, a holistic approach rooted in a missionary spirit and committed to excellence as a matter of personal and organisational vocation."

He also remarked on the comments of a German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development publication which read:

"Without the involvement of the world's religions, we will not be able to meet the challenges the world is facing. A values-based development policy takes the contribution of religion seriously. Wherever we can achieve more by working together, we will increase our cooperation with religious actors. We have laid down clear criteria in our strategy to guide us in this endeavour."

Mr. Mullen concluded his address with a quote taken from the book:

"I’d like to conclude by referencing a wonderful piece in the book by Susan Cahill who writes about her encounter with lay missionary Gena Heraty in Haiti. Asked about her fundamental motivation, Gena replied: 'To be a person of love' . I can’t find any better words to finish with."

The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On is available for purchase on all good bookshops or by clicking here. Profits from sales will go to World Missions Ireland for missionary activity in the Global South.