Orders say Irish missions not in decline

SUGGESTIONS THAT the Irish missionary movement is in steep decline were rebuffed by religious orders and their main funders yesterday at a major rebranding of the sector.

Despite their ageing profile, nuns and priests working overseas say their congregations are thriving thanks to an influx of local recruits.

The number of Irish missionaries working overseas has fallen to about 2,000, with the average age now close to 70.

However, more than 100,000 missionaries work for their Irish-registered congregations in the developing world, according to Misean Cara, the State-sponsored funding agency for the missionary sector, which underwent a formal rebranding yesterday.

Mike Greally, chief executive of Misean Cara, which had previously been known as the Irish Missionary Resource Service, said 40 per cent of personnel funded by the agency were non-Irish, adding that the work of such missionaries “stands up” against the highest standards in the development sector.

Fr Michael Kelly SJ (79), an internationally renowned expert in HIV/Aids, said his congregation ordained three priests in Lusaka last week, bringing to 120 the number of Jesuits in Zambia.

Addressing an audience of more than 100 missionaries at Dublin’s Croke Park, he said that, centuries after Columcille had set sail, people were still “responding to the mission . . . and sharing the good news with others”.

Of Irish missionaries, Fr Kelly said that “the criterion of their work is human need, or spiritual need”.

Speaking by videolink from Malawi, Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power said he hoped the rebranding of the agency would begin “a new and fruitful collaboration” between the State and the missionary sector.

Misean Cara, whose precursor was formed in 2005, has seen its State funding increase from €12 million that year to €20 million in 2008.

It notes that, according to the World Health Organisation, 40 per cent of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa is provided by faith-based organisations.

Guest speaker at the event, former minister of state for overseas aid Liz O’Donnell, said Irish missionaries had provided the “template” for Government development policy.

“It is the original living out of the Christian message,” Ms O’Donnell said.

“Wherever you have the poorest of the poor, you will have Irish missionaries.”