The Church of Ireland’s Council for Mission has congratulated Misean Cara, the membership organisation of 77 Irish missionary organisations, on its twentieth anniversary and the united commitment of its members to eradicate poverty, help communities overcome crisis, and promote the dignity and well-being of people living in poverty and on society’s margins around the world. Its work is one of the latest chapters in the story of centuries of humanitarian commitment from Ireland’s missionaries.
Misean Cara is primarily funded by Irish Aid and has 77 member organisations, including CMS Ireland, which work in over 50 countries. CMS Ireland’s Mission Director, Jenny Smyth, was nominated by Archbishop John McDowell to take part in a visit to Kenya in August and September as part of the celebrations. She was joined by the Revd Uel Marrs, from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, the Most Revd Alphonsus Cullinan, all accompanied by Misean Cara’s Chief Executive, John Moffett, and Communications Officer Clare Matthias.
The purpose of the visit was to raise awareness of Misean Cara and the range of international development projects supported through its member organisations. Jenny remarks: “I was deeply impressed by the lifelong committed service of the Irish missionaries and local personnel who live and work within the communities we visited. Ranging from very remote rural areas to the deep poverty of urban informal dwellings, the quality of community work being carried out was striking. Each place we visited felt like an oasis of hope where help could be sought, a place where lives and communities were being transformed through mutual understanding and careful working together.
“I am indebted to Misean Cara for the opportunity to visit the inspiring projects they support, and for CMS Ireland’s membership which gives access to specialist advice and accompaniment as we work with our global church partners towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Council for Mission’s Chairman, the Revd Tim Wright, said: “Mission is at the heart of our response to God’s gracious love for us, and for centuries one of the characteristics of the Irish Church has been its commitment to serving others. The Church of Ireland Council for Mission exists to facilitate mission throughout the Church of Ireland family at home as well as overseas. Misean Cara is a wonderful example of what happens when Christians, working with others, tend to those in need, strive to transform their societies, and seek to treasure creation.”
Readers can find out more about the work of Misean Cara through its website – www.miseancara.ie – and social media channels.
