The two groups are moving into a shared premises next week under a shared framework as the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI)
The two national representative bodies for religious in Ireland have voted at their respective AGMs to move ahead with a merger into a new entity.
The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) and the Irish Missionary Union (IMU), which have almost a complete overlap of membership, have been in discussion for some time on how to pool staff and resources in order to make the goals of both groups easier to achieve.
Approval
While they are still waiting for Vatican approval, and a number of practical issues still need to addressed, such as how lay missionary groups will fit in to the new entity, the two groups are moving into a shared premises owned by the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in the Dublin suburb of Templeogue next week under a shared framework as the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI).
Fr Hugh McMahon SSC, IMU Executive Secretary told The Irish Catholic that while “the two organisations have to stay on in existence legally until everything is ready and the day comes that we are ready to launch AMRI” that “there has been great enthusiasm from everyone to set up this new joint venture”.
CORI Director General, Fr Peter Rogers, OFM Cap. told The Irish Catholic “It has been a long haul but we hope we have everything in place now to move forward. We believe it is a positive move both for the members of CORI and IMU and ultimately the Church at home and abroad.”