Fr. Peter McVerry SJ has been working with Dublin’s young homeless for more than 30 years. During this time he has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of these young people.
In 1979, Fr. McVerry opened a hostel to address the urgent need for accommodation for young homeless people. Four years later he set up a charity called The Arrupe Society, to provide further housing and support. Renamed in 2005 as Peter McVerry Trust, the charity has progressed from providing a three bedroom flat in Ballymun to today's wide range of services catering for the diverse needs of young homeless people through supported accommodation, drug detox, education and training.
Books
The Meaning is in the Shadows is a collection of writings by Fr. McVerry, which reflect on his experiences working in Dublin’s inner city. He questions the structures that affect the lives of those on the margins and makes radical suggestions for change.
Jesus:Social Revolutionary? is the new book written by Fr. McVerry, challenging Christian churches to re-examine their priorities, saying that social justice be at the heart of all that the Christian churches preach and do.
An interactive website has been set up by the Centre of Faith & Justice, which contains extracts from the book and an interview with Fr. McVerry as well as allowing readers of the book to share their reactions with the author and one another- see www.jcfj.ie/jesussocialrevolutionary/.
Both books are published by Veritas, and can be ordered online at www.veritas.ie.