MISSION NOW – Symposium and Book Launch

4.10.2024
MISSION NOW-SYMPOSIUM AND BOOK LAUNCH.

AMRI (Association of Religious and Missionary Leaders of Ireland) were delighted to host over 100 people between returned missionaries (Religious and Lay), new missionaries to Ireland, and others in a one-day symposium on MISSION NOW. Secretary General of AMRI welcomed everyone to this important reflection on the experience of Irish Missionaries. He noted that, ‘they have made an impact around the globe, transforming lives and helping to make a difference. Bringing their faith and courage, many challenged issues of poverty and injustice.’ Whist their numbers are now decreasing and aging, their legacy is an important aspect of Irish cultural history in the twentieth century. Today, the mission continues in new forms.

During this event, the book ‘Retired Missionaries and Faith in a Changing Society’ was launched by Mr. Sean Fleming, T.D., Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora in Avila Retreat & Conference Centre, Dublin on 4th October 2024. He noted, that Ireland ‘owes you the Irish Religious and Missionaries a huge debt to the work they have done internationally’.

This sociological study by Dr Carmel Gallagher (TUD) and her deceased co-researcher, Dr. Ricca Edmondson (NUIG), is based on interviews with 37 Catholic missionary women and men, mainly religious sisters and priests, who have returned to Ireland having worked for many years in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. The wide-ranging interviews attest to a collective wisdom that this group of the Irish diaspora represents.

Read Her Address Talk at book launch 4th Oct sent to AMRI

The book details the extraordinary lives of women and men from ordinary backgrounds who, in their living witness to Gospel values, encountered some of the most challenging global social problems. They had to learn to work interculturally and creatively and in doing so they themselves were greatly enriched in their spirituality and understanding of mission.

The book contends that the contribution of this group has been overlooked by Irish society and have lacked real impact on the Church in Ireland. The author argues that the lives of these missionaries offer valuable perspectives on what it is to be Christian in contemporary society.

The book is published by Routledge in hardback or ecopy and to coincide with the launch a discount is offered when ordering through the Routledge website prior to 30th November 2024 – promocode, RMF24.