90% of people want to see missionary work continue

THEY’RE the ones who stay behind in danger hotspots when even the peacekeepers leave — Irish missionaries. They are based in 80 countries including Kenya, Liberia and Zimbabwe.

Almost 90% of people feel missionary work in developing countries is relevant today, a survey has revealed.

The TNS/MRBI poll shows strong support for the work of more than 2,000 Irish missionaries, with 9 out of 10 people surveyed saying they want to see Irish missionary work continue into the future.

And 89% believe the work of our missionaries has enhanced Ireland’s reputation on the world stage.

Conducted ahead of Mission Sunday, a spokeswoman for Pontifical Mission Societies urged people not to forget the missions and to give generously to this Sunday’s collection taking place in churches.

“These people should not be forgotten, even in difficult economic times,” said the spokeswoman.

Some 24 Irish missionaries have died during their service in the last 50 years.

“One of our people was caught in the recent Kenyan fighting. She locked herself and her staff in and remained to help the people, even though there was serious fighting going on.”

Last year €2.8 million was donated to the Mission Sunday collection — up 11.5% on the 2006 collection.

The projects supported by fundraising included the building of simple mission churches, the education of seminarians and the formation of lay leaders. It is also used for building health clinics for children, emergency aid in times of war or natural disaster, and has assisted missionaries in their efforts of refugees care.

Fr Ed Grimes, director of the society said: “We have recently seen in Kenya and Zimbabwe how Irish missionaries have remained with their suffering people, directing aid and medical care and speaking for those with no voice.”