SISTER BRIGID REYNOLDS, the co-founder and former CEO of Social Justice Ireland, has died at the age of 82.
Social Justice Ireland has praised her contribution to Irish society while announcing her death today “with great sadness”.
Sr Brigid was born and raised on a farm near Mohill, Co Leitrim, and educated with the Marist Sisters in Carrick-on-Shannon.
She graduated with a science degree from University College Dublin before entering the Marist Sisters Religious Order and being assigned to Kaduna in the north of Nigeria.
She spent two years there lecturing in a teacher training college, where she began her work of social justice advocacy, serving as secretary to an Episcopal Commission to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion, and as spiritual director for women’s organisations in the north of Nigeria.
On her return to Ireland in 1980, Sr Brigid spent a year teaching science in a secondary school in Dublin, before being recruited by The Conference of Major Religious Superiors, which was later renamed the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI).
There, she advocated for social justice through education, policy analysis and development, engaging with government and civil society, and promoting, advocating and commenting on social justice issues.
Together with her former CORI colleague Seán Healy, Sr Brigid co-founded Social Justice Ireland in 2009, which they led until their retirement in 2023.
She continued to be involved in the organisation and served on its board of trustees.
“Brigid made an indelible mark on social justice advocacy in Ireland,” said John McGeady, CEO of Social Justice Ireland.
“Guided by a vision of society in which each person’s dignity is honoured, Brigid was dedicated to addressing inequality, poverty, and social exclusion.
He said Sr Brigid guided the organisation “with her long experience, insightful judgement and commitment to the values of social justice and human rights”.
“It is a sad day for Social Justice Ireland and those of us who were privileged to work with Brigid. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Brigid’s sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and to the Marist Sisters.”
Professor Tony Fahey, chairperson of the Social Justice Ireland board, described Sr Brigid as “a leading member of that generation of men and women in the religious life in Ireland who, in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, brought a new energy, vision and range to the traditional Christian commitment to service of the poor and afflicted”.
Fahey said she “combined the spirituality of a religious vocation with the warmth of a deep human sympathy and the energy, skill and practicality of a tireless social campaigner”.
Sr Brigid’s funeral will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
Social Justice Ireland said details would be available in due course on RIP.ie.