Pioneers’ fundraiser prepares for Jesuit withdrawal

The Pioneer Association has launched a fundraising appeal to raise €100,000 in advance of the withdrawal of the Irish Jesuits at the end of this year.

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. In 2015 the Provincial, Fr Tom Layden SJ, took the decision to make a phased withdrawal due to falling numbers and the aging profile of their priests.

As the group prepares to become a Private Lay Association of the Faithful in January, it has launched a nationwide appeal “to essentially keep the Pioneers going” according to Raymond O’Connor, Project Co-ordinator.

“We rely on the generosity of our members as we are not Government-funded and we have started to run into deficit,” he said.

“We had a big public appeal in 2011 which raised €130,000 and this is our second public appeal to ensure the financial viability of our institution.”