CEO of Trócaire told the AMRI 2026 Justice Conference that the Catholic Church is the second largest deliverer of humanitarian aid in the world today. This radical truth needs to heard by many Governments around the world.
The event was attended by some 70 participants from across civil society and faith-based organisations across Ireland, from a variety of countries, including delegates from many Religious Orders, Missionaries, Representatives of various organisations.
Fr. Joe McGee MSC and President of AMRI welcomed delegates to the annual Justice Conference. He referred to the reality that days like today are about ‘Reclaiming the voice of faith on public society.’ He continued to note, ‘Ensuring the wider society knows about our faith response to Justice today.’ He acknowledged Pope Leo XIV being a moral leader a voice reminding the world that peace is needed more than ever today. He invited us to continue to pray for him and his leadership at this time.
Seán Farrell, CEO of Trócaire gave a keynote speech, beginning with ‘honouring the history and legacy of the Irish Missionary Movement.’ He noted that Kimmage Manor is such a special place of ‘encounters’ for everyone here today who has been shaped by the Irish Missionary Church. He gave an overview of the dramatic recent changes to Overseas Development Aid and undermining of multilateralism from governments to funding for poverty and hunger and impact of war on the poorest people on the planet. ‘What do we do together about global poverty and climate change in a world that is doing less to respond?’ He praised the Irish Government on its commitment to overseas Aid and outlier now in the First World. He reminded those in attendance that despite the realities on the ground, ‘hope is possible’ and in difficult and dark times, is where the light must shine brightest, “now is the time not to step back but to step forward… peace and justice work is particularly needed today”.
Seán was followed by a panel of distinguished speakers that included:
- Róisín Markham from the Irish Doughnut Economics Network, who outlined the ways in which the concept of Doughnut Economics is essential in reimaging a sustainable future – ‘We are at a moment in time where we need a ‘radical transformation …that is moral, social and cultural’.
- Ambassador David Donoghue, former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN in New York and co-facilitator of the negotiations on the UN 2030 Agenda, who explored human flourishing at the centre of sustainable development and what next for Agenda 2030.
- Dr Kevin Hargaden of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, who approached the agenda through the lens of Dilexi te (Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Leo XIV) and the role of civil society and faith-based organisations in working together to respond to what Pope Francis called ‘the cry of the earth’ and ‘the cry of the poor’.
Participants were also invited to “Step into the Doughnut,” an interactive experience exploring the interconnectedness of ecology and humanity, and reflecting on pathways toward a just and sustainable future. The session was led by Róisín Markam of the Irish Doughnut Economics Network and Lara Kelly from the Justice Office of the Dominican Sisters in Cabra.
The conference concluded with commitments by those present to collaborate on key issues of social justice, global peace and care for our common home.
“We need to celebrate the fact that the Catholic Church is the second largest deliverer of humanitarian aid in the world. Everyone has heard of the Red Cross and Red Cresent. We need to remind society of this fact” Seán Farrell, Trócaire.
Note to Editors
The event was organised by Dr Toni Pyke Justice, Peace and Ecology Coordinator at the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) that represents over 150 Religious Institutes, Societies of Apostolic Life and Missionary Organisations, including lay missionaries. AMRI promotes religious, apostolic and missionary life as part of the mission of the Church.
For media enquiries contact Gerard Gallagher at communications@amri.ie
AMRI appeals for the safe release of Gena Heraty, kidnapped in Haiti (5 August 2025)
AMRI welcomes and thanks the Irish Government and especially Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, on his efforts to secure the safe release of Gena Heraty. Gena Heraty was abducted along with seven others, including a child from an orphanage in Haiti over the weekend.
We invite our Members to keep Gena, her family and colleagues in their prayers. We offer our solidarity with Viatores Christi and all our Lay Missionaries working in Haiti and in other countries.
Statement from Viatores Christi on Emerging situation in Haiti. – VC volunteers
AMRI appeals for the safe release of Gena Heraty, kidnapped in Haiti
ENDS
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) represents over 150 Religious Institutes, Societies of Apostolic Life and Missionary Organisations, including lay missionaries. AMRI promotes religious, apostolic and missionary life as part of the mission of the Church.
AMRI Welcomes the Annual Report from the NBSCCCI 2024-25 (10 June 2025)
AMRI acknowledges the increase in new allegations notified to the National Board for Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Ireland’s (NBSCCCI) Annual Report 2024/2025, published on 10th June 2025. The increase also coincides with the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious in 2024. Read Full Statement Here: AMRI Welcomes the Annual Report from the NBSCCCI 2024 – 10 June 2025 Final
AMRI Statement – Pope Leo XIV
AMRI welcomes Pope Leo XIV with great joy and hope. Our newly appointed Holy Father is clearly a faithful Christian disciple, an esteemed Augustinian friar, a missionary in spirit and in deed. He brings a wealth of global knowledge and experience to his new mission as he builds on the work initiated by Pope Francis.
We are delighted that he began his role by wishing peace to the world and expressing his desire to build bridges and foster unity through dialogue. His prayer for a Church that embraces everyone with open arms is most welcome. We also keep in mind the Augustinian community here in Ireland who will be filled with so much joy at this time. Let us hold in our prayers Pope Leo XIV and all with whom he will journey on the synodal pathway in the days and years ahead.
For media enquiries – communications@amri.ie
Statement from AMRI on the death of Bishop Emeritus Brendan Comiskey RIP
AMRI (The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland) would like to offer its condolences to his devoted extended family members, to Father Michael Ruddy SS CC and all in the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who knew him, including bishops, priests, religious and faithful in the dioceses of Ferns and Dublin where he served.
Bishop Commiskey was one of several Bishops who were also members of a religious congregation. He brought with him years of experience and understanding of consecrated life. In this regard his previous service as Secretary General of the Conference of Religious in Ireland was of great value to discussions at the Bishops Conference table. Read full statement here: AMRI Statement on the Death of Bishop Commiskey 30.4.25
Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary celebrate the conclusion of their centenary year with gratitude and hope for the future.
March 7, 2025 (on the eve of International Women’s Day), marked the end of a hugely successful Centenary year of joyful celebration of 100 years of dedicated missionary work of the MSHR to spread the message of God’s love and empower women’s lives worldwide.
The centenary celebrations launched in March 2024 opened with a special dedication to our founder, Bishop Joseph Shanahan CSSp and our pioneering sisters whose mission transformed many lives across the world. Following in their footsteps, we are deeply grateful for the support of our benefactors, donors, and funders, which enabled us to continue our missionary enterprise in the thirteen countries where we serve. Since our founding in 1924, we have expanded from Nigeria to eight other African countries, as well as Ireland, the UK, the USA, and Brazil. Read more here: Press Release to close Centenary 7 April 2025
AMRI: A Call for Peace in Gaza and the Middle East
“Pursue peace with all…” Hebrews 12:14
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI), echo the words of Pope Francis in calling “for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached” in Gaza. After many decades of violence and avoidable bloodshed in the region, it is critical to seek lasting pathways to sustained peace.
We stand in solidarity with all Christians and people of all faiths in positions of leadership, including the His Holiness Pope Francis and the World Council of Churches, and fully support peacemakers, such as Latin Cardinal Patriarch of Jerusalem in their calls for peacebuilding, freedom and justice for all humanity.
AMRI are horrified at the renewed mass bombardment by the Israeli government directed at Palestinian civilian populations and their critical social infrastructure. Targeted attacks towards already traumatised children, women and men is unconscionable, illegal and wrong. We are saddened at the orchestrated denial of basic essential needs and human dignity for the people of Gaza, the destruction to their critical infrastructure and the devastation to our Common Home. This reality makes return of Israeli hostages to their families ever more challenging.
We are equally disturbed by the increased violence in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers and settlers on Palestinian communities, including raids, home demolitions, destruction of olive groves, abductions and the killing and wounding of many children, women and men.
We appeal for justice and mercy in ensuring immediate access to basic human needs such as water, food, shelter and fuel for necessary medical assistance. We call on the Israeli government and Hamas to establish an immediate and lasting ceasefire and to work towards a dialogue focused on fairness, compassion and human dignity for all.
Ends.
For Media Enquires email communications@amri.ie
AMRI Executive Council welcomes Vatican Declaration Fiducia Supplicans
The AMRI Executive Council welcomes the new Vatican Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, that allows for spontaneous blessings and opens the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.
AMRI Pilgrim to carry Irish Flag at World Youth Day in Lisbon
Ms Charlene Duff, travelling with the AMRI DCU young people’s group will carry the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of World Youth Day in Lisbon, at which Pope Francis will be present. The Pope has invited young people from all over the world to meet him in Lisbon. The theme for WYD is ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ (Luke 1:39). World Youth Day (WYD) takes place from 1-6 August 2023.
The Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) for the first time will lead a group of 40 young adults to WYD. This group comprises 10 nationalities, a combination of priests, religious sisters, missionaries studying and working in Ireland, and young adults from Dublin City University Inter-faith chaplaincy.
National pilgrimage coordinator, Mr Gerard Gallagher of AMRI says:
“It will be a very joyous occasion and a privilege to join with tens of thousands of young people from around the world to greet Pope Francis and be inspired by his deep faith and vision for peace, justice and care for our Earth.”
Read in full AMRI WYD Press Release
AMRI calls for cooperation with Inquiry into historical abuse in religious run schools
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) calls for co-operation with the government’s scoping inquiry into revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. To read in full use the link below
AMRI Executive expresses dismay at statement on blessing same-sex unions.
At its recent meeting, the Executive Council of AMRI expressed its deep dismay at some of the language and concepts used in the Response and Explanatory Note issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the possibility or not of blessing same-sex unions.
Submission from AMRI on new Lectionary Translation – June 2021
AMRI welcomes that the Irish Episcopal Conference is consulting widely on the translation of the new lectionary. The Lectionary for Mass is the liturgical volume from which God’s Word is proclaimed during the celebration of the Eucharist; so it is of central importance in the life of the Church. We welcome the opportunity to make this submission.
AMRI welcomes announcement of Synodal Path for the Catholic Church
The AMRI Executive wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement of a new Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland leading to the holding of a National Synodal Assembly within the next five years.
As a missionary organisation, we note that synod and mission are closely connected. Cardinal Mario Grech in his recent address to the Bishops of Ireland on Synodality highlights this, quoting the International Theological Commission, Synodality in the life and mission of the Church: “Making a synodal Church a reality is an indispensable precondition for a new missionary energy that will involve the entire People of God. Synodality is lived out in the Church in the service of mission.” A synodal path then must be a way to reach out to those on the margins, to listen to their voices as they challenge and reveal Christ to us.
AMRI Statement of of Solidarity with the Religious of Myanmar – March 2021
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) stand united with the people of Myanmar, who overwhelmingly voted for a democratic government at the November 2020 elections. We are shocked and saddened as we learn of all that is happening since February 1. We are deeply moved by and commend the courageous determination of the people, particularly the young, in defending their right to democratic values and principles.
Dying with Dignity Bill AMRI statement
March 2021
In this statement we, the Executive Council of the Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI), wish to contribute to the ongoing public conversation about the ethics of end-of-life care and the sensitive question of assisted dying raised by the Dying with Dignity Bill (2020).
Joint Statement for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse
February 2021
First Minister Arlene Foster, Junior Minister Declan Kearney, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop John McDowell, and representatives from Barnardo’s and the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) have met to discuss the remaining Hart recommendations for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.
Joint statement for victims and survivors of historical and institutional abuse
AMRI statement, Mother and Baby Homes
January 2021
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) welcomes the publication of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report.
Meeting of AMRI members with Mary O’Toole SC, Chair of the Scoping Inquiry
All Hallows College, 9th January 2024 By Sr Mary Hanrahan PBVM
AMRI Executive Council welcomes Vatican Declaration Fiducia Supplicans
The AMRI Executive Council welcomes the new Vatican Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, that allows for spontaneous blessings and opens the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.
