Who We Are

Missio Ireland is the Irish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies. We are the Holy Father’s official charity for overseas mission. Wherever the Church is present, we are there, meaning we can reach out across five continents to support over 1,100 mission dioceses. Each Missio is headed by a National Director, appointed by the Holy Father.

Fr. Michael Kelly, SPS is the National Director of Missio Ireland. Fr. Michael was appointed in November 2021 following more than 30 years of missionary service. Originally from Cashel in Co. Tipperary, he is a member of the St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers). He offers a wealth of experience, having carried out missionary roles in Grenada and South Africa as well as pastoral and faith formation roles in England, Scotland, and more recently for the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin here in Ireland.

On his appointment, Fr. Michael commented, “as a missionary at heart, it’s a privilege to work with Missio Ireland, the Holy Father’s official charity for overseas mission. Having given many years as a missionary, working with the poor and marginalised people of our world, I’m only too aware of their great needs. I want to sincerely thank the Irish people for their tremendous generosity and their prayers in reaching out to the impoverished people of our world through Missio Ireland. You and your families will always be in my prayers.”

To promote and support our work at local level, Missio Ireland has representatives in each diocese, known as Diocesan Directors.
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Missio Ireland has a voluntary and independent Board of Directors. Its members oversee governance, budgets, and strategies.
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Missio was born from the initiatives of two charismatic women, a bishop, and a priest. All were passionate about creating awareness of overseas mission and sending support to missionaries. Together, their four societies became known as the Pontifical Mission Societies.
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