‘Gender imbalance’ at Kerry missionary memorial needs addressed, claims councillor
The KerrymanA Kerry councillor has called for better representation of women at a local memorial to highlight their critical role in missionary work around the globe.
Councillor John O’Donoghue said as many women as men joined Missionary Orders in the 20th century and asked for the Mission Memorial in Killarney to include mention of their contribution.
Ireland has a long and rich history of missionary work abroad and Killarney is no different. It is estimated that between 1920 and 1970 alone, over 30,000 men and women from the town joined Missionary Orders.
“Missionary work is a selfless act with little material reward,” said Cllr O’Donoghue, “and those working abroad often found themselves in dangerous locations which endangered their own well-being.”
“The people they worked with were very often those forgotten by society…they were often the only voice these people had and their only light of hope.”
Cllr O’Donoghue urged that the “enormous contribution” of women be honoured at the Mission Memorial in the Fern Garden as soon as possible.
“We have correctly honoured these at the Mission Garden, but even a cursory glance at the monument will show how heavily weighted towards men the monument is,” said Cllr O’Donoghue.
“Our world has never been as small as we exist in global society, and the message of empathy and acceptance carried by the missionaries to all corners of the globe is probably more important to highlight now than ever.”
The council said they would welcome engagement from community groups and stakeholders for suggestions on who should be recognised at the memorial.