As the incoming chairman I am aware that I am following in the footsteps of two men of great experience: Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ, who served for some sixteen years and Fr. Joseph Dargan, SJ, who had to resign due to illness after two years. The Association is indebted to both of them.
The Pioneer Association has something unique to offer to the Church and the world. We freely choose to go without alcohol, as a gesture of love in return for God's love for us and out of concern for those struggling with alcohol.
From Fr. Cullen and four women in St. Francis Xavier Church, Dublin in 1898 the Association grew into a nationwide parish based organisation by the 1930s. With the help of Irish missionary Brothers, Sisters and Priests the Pioneer Association has grown internationally especially in Africa and in recent years in Bolivia.
Though for many years its numbers have been declining in Ireland, the problem of the misuse of alcohol shows no sign of weakening. With all the energy we can muster we are seeking to work together, relying on the risen Lord to guide us so that creatively and courageously we make our contribution to repairing what is broken in Christ's earthly body, the Church and indeed beyond.
Currently the Board is seeking to face its responsibilities to be compliant with National Child Protection Policies and the New Charities Act and ensuring the future financial viability of the Association. This will involve many changes and will not be without pain.
Cardinal John Henry Newman(1801-1890) whom Pope Benedict XV1 beatified in Birmingham in September left us many quotable sayings: among them we find:
“to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.....A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault”.
Fr Charles Davy SJ
Chairman
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association
