The Irish Jesuits are making a phased withdrawal from the Pioneers Association because of falling numbers and aging profile of their priests.
The Pioneers Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1898 by a Dublin Jesuit, Fr James Cullen to address the damage being caused by excess alcohol.
Over 100 years later, the Provincial, Fr Tom Layden SJ, has taken the decision to make a phased withdrawal from the Pioneers over three years, following an evaluation of all the ministries of the Irish Jesuit Province.
“It’s a sign of the times and must be sad day for the Jesuits after dedicating so many good men to the association,” the newly elected president, James Shevlin told The Irish Catholic.
He said while becoming a lay apostolate would be a challenge, it was also an opportunity to “establish ourselves into a vibrant, active spiritual lay-led organisation”.
Traditionally a Jesuit priest fills the roles of the Pioneers’ chairman and spiritual director. A lay person will be appointed chairperson next year and at the end of 2017 spiritual guidance will be overseen by the bishops’ conference.
Magis Ireland, the Jesuit outreach to young adults, was closed last year leading to the loss of six jobs.