RADIOVATICAN " JESUIT PRIEST PETER MCVERRY - BUBLIN - HONORED FOR HOMELESS WORK
"On the 22nd March an Irish Jesuit priest became the 77th person to receive the
Freedom of Dublin. Father Peter McVerry received the honour for his tireless
work over the last 40 years with young homeless people in the Irish
capital.
Fr Peter set up the Peter McVerry Trust with the aim of reducing
homelessness and the harm caused by drug misuse and social disadvantage.The
services that the Trust provides include an informal drop-in centre which is the
first point of contact for many young homeless people especially those leaving
prison, supported temporary accommodation and drug treatment
facilities.
There are also three services that offer support and
accommodation for homeless children aged between 12-18.
Speaking to Lydia
O’Kane, Fr Peter says the traditional image of homelessness has changed, in
that, it is no longer true to say they are people with drink and drug issues or
mental health problems. “The majority of people now who are becoming homeless
are ordinary working class even middle class people who can no longer afford to
pay the rents… or they’re people whose relationships have broken down and they
have had to leave the home that they have been sharing with somebody else.”
He
goes on to say that having “a place to call home is a fundamental human
right.”
No comments:
Post a Comment