Fr Seán Healy SMA and Sr Brigid Reynolds SM, formerly of CORI (Conference of Religious of Ireland) Justice, are to lead a new and distinct organisation now called Social Justice Ireland. This organisation will take over the programmes and projects run in recent decades by CORI Justice including its social partnership role. It is part of a wider movement towards more lay involvement in ministries that in former times were staffed to a large extent by religious, such as in health and education.
CORI Justice has for many years now been providing social and economic analysis of the annual budgets and has been a representative voice for the poorer sectors of society in the Social Partnership Process talks.
Fr Healy said of the change, "The work of CORI Justice has developed in recent years to involve many local groups and individuals throughout Ireland. The establishment of Social Justice Ireland is a logical step to reflect this broader involvement beyond the members of religious congregations. The new structure will reflect this development and will consolidate the work across the various categories of activity into the future."
The new organisation has the support of religious and lay people throughout Ireland. It describes itself as, "working to build a just society where human rights are respected, human dignity is protected, human development is facilitated and the environment is respected and protected.”
Both Fr Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds have worked for almost thirty years for CORI Justice and its predecessor, the CORI Justice Commission, almost to the extent of their becoming identified with CORI itself.
The setting up of a distinct and separate office, now located at Social Justice Ireland, Arena House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, and no longer at St Mary's, in Donnybrook, Dublin, is by agreement with CORI.
Sr Conchita McDonnell MSHR, President of CORI (representing all the religious congregations of Ireland) said, "Fr Seán Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds have been unequalled and passionate voices for justice in this country. CORI, having gained from their expertise in that time, wishes them well in their future undertakings.”
Speaking yesterday, Fr Healy was anxious to correct any misunderstanding from a report in The Irish Times which might have given the impression that Social Justice Ireland would no longer receive funding from the Catholic Church.
"In fact," said Fr Healy, "the new organisation does expect to receive, and welcomes, funding from a wide range of sources, including Catholic religious congregations."
Membership of Social Justice Ireland is open to individuals (religious and lay) and to groups (organisations and congregations etc.) who support the basic thrust of the values and work that form its core.
For further information on the new organisation, see its new website: www.socialjustice.ie
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