Edmund Rice England - Presence . Compassion . Liberation

CLT Consultation on Mission in the Global Network

Following an online survey of 230+ people from across the global Edmund Rice network about mission, their roles and the future we are happy to share the initial report. This is an on-going process where consultation will continue to happen.

Mission Survey Report

2021

 

Executive Summary

There was significant engagement with the Survey with a high and equal number of responses from Brothers and ‘others’. The inspiration of the Edmund Rice vision was highlighted as a strong motivating force for involvement in mission among respondents. Most respondents feel connected with the Edmund Rice network but there is significant appetite for even greater connection.

Three quarters of respondents anticipate being in their current roles for the next 5 years. There were very strong responses to the Questions for Further Exploration expressing an appetite for further exploration of the themes raised in the survey, as well as identifying concreted areas for further exploration including: structures for better collaboration, alternative models of leadership, good practice in development and rights based approaches to mission.

General: Who were the respondents?

 

There were 237 responses to the survey. Almost 80 % were from male respondents. Half of the respondents were Christian Brothers. This gives some explanation of the gender imbalance.

 

There were responses from all age demographics. However, just over 50% of respondents were aged 55 years and older. The majority of the rest were over 35 years.

 

Roughly one quarter of responses were received from each of the 4 major regions: The Americas, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

 

Kenya, South Africa and Zambia were the largest responding groups from Africa, while India and Australia had over half of responses from the Asia Pacific.

 

All regions were equally represented in responses from the Americas, while the Republic of Ireland and England dominated responses from Europe.

 

Over 30% of respondents Identified as working in formal school education (predominantly secondary). No other category of work/ministry dominated the other 70% of responses.

 

The Question of Ministry

 

The vast majority of respondents (86%), considered the work that they do to be a ministry. Many provided insights into their motivation and how they approach their work, the values which inspire them, through references to the vision and example of Edmund Rice and the priorities of the Gospel. Only 1 person framed their work as ministry because of their commitment to Church, while 2 others spoke of being motivated by a sense of discipleship.

 

28 respondents replied referencing the Edmund Rice charism. They consider their work as ministry and are inspired by the charism or values or ethos of Edmund:

 

 

Issues raised included justice, faith-based education, inclusion and outreach to marginalised people:

 

 

80 people referred to schools in their replies. A common theme was the provision of a holistic education:

 

 

Several school or network leaders frame their work in the context of their own faith or in terms of keeping the spirit of Edmund alive and the role they have in mentoring and influencing others:

 

 

12 people described their role in the area of advocacy and human rights.  They wrote about their work with youth in informal settings such as camps, vocational training or young people living on the streets. Most did not address the question of ‘ministry’, however the following comments were received:

 

 

Eleven people responded who work in hands-on community development roles (‘a broad term which encompasses Formal and Non-formal education, Human Rights Education and Advocacy, and Youth empowerment’). One framed their response as ‘ministry’ and another spoke of being motivated by Jesus and Edmund Rice.

 

Eleven people responded from a role in a development organisation (an organisation supporting development, capacity building, fundraising, etc):

 

 

8 responses came from people who fulfil a governance role on a Board. While most do not consider their task as ministry, they see it as supporting those who are in ‘hands on ministry’:

 

3 people responded from a commitment to ecology and referenced Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’ as a source of inspiration.

 

15 people framed their understanding of their role in terms of spirituality and faith, while 3 mentioned service:

 

 

A few framed their commitment in terms of Service

 

17 respondents identified themselves as Brothers who are on a Province Leadership Team. Some framed their lives in terms of ‘responding to the call of the gospel as a disciple of Jesus’. Some described their activities in a variety of ways; from the individual outreach to people by retired men, leadership in community, or supporting younger Brothers who are university students.

 

19 respondents, including both teachers and administrators, described their role primarily as a job. This was not a negative reflection on their role:

 

 

Connection to others involved in Edmund Rice Work

 

Just over half of the respondents thought that they were well connected to others involved in Edmund Rice work. For another third, the connection was moderate. Only 3% reported that they felt totally disconnected.

 

Responses related to the frequency of engagement with others involved with Edmund Rice work, painted a somewhat different picture of connection. The largest category reported the frequency as ‘Sometimes’ (40%), while 18% reported that engagement was rare or non-existent. It is clear from the data that respondents crave more connection and collaboration, with 90 % of respondents suggesting that they would do so if opportunities were presented.

 

In written comments, almost all respondents spoke of the benefits of greater collaboration. Several suggested that formal structures need to be developed to optimize and organise greater collaboration. Many mentioned recent Zoom Conferences, the emergence of EREBB and ERI as examples of the way collaboration within the Edmund Rice family should continue to grow.

 

Some sample comments include:

 

 

Sustainability of the Work

 

75% of respondents reported that they are likely to be working in their current roles for the next three to five years. Two thirds reported their confidence that their work or ministry has a long-term future. Only 2% were not confident at all.

 

Most respondents linked their diminished confidence in the future of their work to the rapidly decreasing number of Brothers involved in ministry and low numbers of men entering the Congregation. Many expressed concerns about the ‘Brother centric’ nature of the work. Resourcing the work, beyond the time of the Brothers’ involvement, was also reported as a real threat to sustainability.

 

Some sample comments include:

 

 

Questions for further Exploration

 

Participants were asked to respond to 2 questions related to areas related to Edmund Rice work that would be the focus of further exploration/discussion.

 

In a ranking exercise, the areas that received the highest priority (in order) were:

 

 

Participants were also asked to nominate others areas for future exploration that were not specifically dealt with in the survey. The following were prioritised:

 

 

Conclusion

 

Several respondents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and the vast majority recorded interest in participation in any future processes that will allow for us to ‘drill down’ on the data. This next phase could take the form of targeted discussions/seminars, focus groups etc.

 

 

Prayer

Prayer of Thanks for Blessed Edmund Rice

O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.