‘Churches must work for Social Revolution’, says Jesuit Priest in New Book

Jesuit priest and leading social justice campaigner, Fr Peter McVerry, has called on the Christian churches to look afresh at the social implications of the life and message of Jesus. Speaking at the launch of his new book, Jesus: Social Revolutionary?, Fr McVerry said:

Challenging the Christian churches to re-examine their priorities he said:

“For me, the life and work of Jesus should mean that a huge commitment to social justice should be at the heart of all the Christian churches preach and do. However, it appears to me that the Churches’ emphasis on personal conversion fails to go beyond the personal, to emphasise the radical economic, social and political consequences of such conversion.”

Explaining the background to the book, Fr McVerry said:

 “I decided to write this book because for me the gospels are extraordinarily radical. The Jesus I find there is an extremely attractive person but he is hard-hitting, pulls no punches. Jesus was scathing of the inequalities which existed in the society of his own time and was very critical of the way the weak and vulnerable were regarded and treated by his society.  His vision for a society of equality and inclusiveness is hugely relevant for Irish society, and for societies of every time and place.”

The book was launched jointly in Dublin this afternoon by Bishop Willie Walsh, and broadcaster and journalist, Vincent Browne. Speaking at the launch, Mr Browne said: “This is a different and interesting account of Jesus and the Jesus Story.”

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, where Fr McVerry is based, has established a special website to allow readers of the book share their reactions with the author and with one another. The website also contains extracts from the book and interviews with Fr McVerry. See www.jcfj.ie/jesussocialrevolutionary

Jesus: Social Revolutionary? is published by Veritas


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For more information or for interviews contact: Fr Peter McVerrry SJ, on mobile 087 257 9616 or Fr Tony O’Riordan SJ, Director,  Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, telephone 01 855 6814, or mobile 087 928 6945