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2017

  • May 2017: Historic role of Catholic influence in social service provision under spotlight

In recent months, the topic of the historic role of Catholic personnel in the Irish welfare system has become increasingly discussed. This is reflected in the public debate in the last few months concerning the involvement of the Sisters of Charity in the ownership of a planned new (and relocated) national maternity hospital in Dublin. This gave rise to concerns that a religious influence would be retained in the day-to-day running of the hospital and the interpretation of ethical practices in the delivery of health services. Following public opposition, the Sisters of Charity order released a statement in May 2017 indicating their intention to withdraw completely from the project, divesting the new hospital of religious involvement. Church elites emphasized that the public debate risked overlooking the church’s important work in meeting the social service needs of the general population.

For more detail, see TheJournal.ie, The Irish Times, The Irish Times.

D 9 June 2017    ABrian Conway

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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