Pioneering research project into the role of Religious in the inner cities

Austin Smith House in Birmingham

The Little Sisters of Jesus live on the 13th floor of an east London tower block, opening their home to the community

The Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham and the Passionists (St Joseph’s Province) have launched a  collaborative study into those Religious, who, motivated by a desire to put into practice an ‘option for the poor,’  have moved to the inner cities, the outer estates and tower blocks in the years following Vatican II.

One of the driving forces behind the project, Fr Martin Newell CP, who himself shares a house in inner city Birmingham with asylum seekers, explains that the project will look not just at the tangible realities and impact of moving to these areas but also at the inner life of prayer and spirituality that has led certain Religious to make these radical choices:

“Part of their spirituality was often an association with 'hiddenness'.  We think that it is time to tell this important story of Gospel commitment to the poor, forgotten and marginalised people and places in our midst” says Fr Martin.

The Passionists are currently in discussions with the Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham about funding for the  research; their vision at present includes events and publications that will reach beyond academia into wider Church and society.

“However” adds Fr Martin, “we also want to share this project with other Religious, who were mostly women, especially those who have been part of the story. If you or your Congregation are at all interested in supporting this project, please do get in touch.”

Bede Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham, Karen Kilby,  welcomed the collaboration with congregations: “We consider this a very important research project because the distinctive way of living out the religious life it will explore is so significant. We hope the research will provide the means to remember, learn from, reflect on and pass on to new generations something of the contribution of this group of Religious, and thus also to properly honour their work and their lives.”  

Fr Martin hopes that the research into the urban mission of Religious in the UK post Vatican Two will shine a light on a radical living out of the Gospel that has often been so under the radar that it’s gone unnoticed: "This is a good news story about the Catholic Church that up till now remains largely untold" he says.

Fr Martin can be contacted at : martinnewellcp@yahoo.co.uk

Fr Martin, pictured (centre) left, in Austin Smith House