This April Drew story gives me yet one more reason to wish I were Irish.Ancient Order of Hibernian (AOH) President Jack Meehan has set in motion a new agenda for the Irish American Catholic organization to promote and defend the life of the unborn child.
In a letter written to over 300 divisions of the AOH and its members on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs or December 28, Meehan reminded members of the crux of the AOH’s duties. “The core missions of the Hibernians remain — a free and united Ireland and support for the teachings of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Now that Northern Ireland will be celebrating 10 years of peace, Meehan said the AOH’s focus would change onto an area of greater needs — to protect the life of the unborn child.
Michael Cummings, archivist of the AOH, told the Irish Voice on Wednesday that the new efforts to protect the life of the unborn would be primarily focused on education. “What we want to do is to demonstrate that we can provide support and resources for those women who are faced with problem pregnancies or with difficult choices, and hopefully defend the right of the unborn by giving the practical assistance that those women need,” he elaborated.
Speaking about taking a step back from Northern Ireland issues, Cummings said, “We have a lot of confidence in the leadership in Ireland, that they are on the right path. We are examining each of the areas we have been involved in to date and see where we might redirect some energies, efforts and resources.”
Meehan’s letter had the same sentiment. “ We must re-energize ourselves to fight the scourge of abortion in the same steadfast manner that we have used to fight the many injustices wreaked upon Catholic/Nationalists in the North of Ireland,” he wrote.
According to Meehan, a native of Brighton, Massachusetts, the AOH, which is in its 173rd year, has tolerated and suffered through years of oppression and hardship. “In the past we endured the tyranny of robber barons in the coalfields of Pennsylvania, stood fast against the bigotry and violence of the Know-Nothing’s in New York City, Charlestown and Philadelphia, challenged those who would rob St. Patrick’s Day of its true meaning, and defied all those who called us terrorists for advocating equality and justice for Catholics in the North of Ireland,” he wrote.
To this end, Meehan writes that it’s time to stand up again, but this time focus on the “sacredness of all creation.” This, he suggests to AOH members should “guide our direction in the future.”...
(Source: What else? The Irish Voice News!)
FYI -- The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is not only the oldest Catholic Lay organization in America, it is the largest Irish society in the world. It was founded in New York City in 1836 and now boasts Divisions in Ireland as well as 49 of the United States.
The society's name comes from the Roman name for Ireland. And the organization claims that its roots go back to Ireland in the 16th Century...perhaps even earlier. The original purpose of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America remains: "to promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity among its members by raising or supporting a fund of money for maintaining the aged, sick, blind and infirm members, for the payment of funeral benefits, for the advancement of the principles of Irish nationality, for the legitimate expenses of the Order, and for no other purpose whatsoever." Qualifications for membership include being a practicing Catholic, being Irish or of Irish descent, standing in good and moral character, and having no ties with secret societies contrary to the laws of the Catholic Church.
The above qualification list means, of course, that this Scotch/English Baptist can't sign up for the Ancient Order of Hibernians. But it certainly doesn't preclude me from applauding them, admiring them and wishing them well in their noble quest.
