A NUN who founded vital addiction and rehabilitation centres, that still treat thousands of people more than 50 years later, has been awarded the fifth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award.
Sr Consilio Fitzgerald, founder of Cuan Mhuire, was presented the award in Leinster House yesterday by the Oireachtas Human Dignity Group.
The annual award is presented to "a person or group whose commitment to the promotion of human dignity has been exemplary".
Sr Consilio, a trained nurse and midwife, began Cuan Mhuire in a room in the Convent of Mercy, Athy, Co Kildare in 1966.
The Mercy sister was moved by the plight of the `men of the road' she encountered as a nurse.
There are now five treatment centres, including in Newry and a women-only facility in Cork, and seven transition facilities.
Presenting the award, Dáil deputy chairman Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher said "belief in the inherent dignity of each person is what drives (her) work".
Senator Rónán Mullen of the Oireachtas Human Dignity Group said it was latest in a long series of awards received by Sr Consilio and her team showing "we greatly value you for what you’ve done for us. And we want you to keep going because your work is more important than ever".
Sr Consilio vowed to "keep going".
"The challenges are great. Demand for our service far exceeds our capacity to help people. But we trust in the Lord and in the great people who support our work every day."
