Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed her heartfelt condolences following the passing of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, a renowned social justice advocate, who died earlier today.
Cairns praised Sister Stan for her relentless dedication to championing the rights of society’s most marginalized individuals, including the homeless and the immigrant community. Highlighting Sister Stan’s pivotal contributions, she noted her role in founding organizations such as Focus Ireland and the Immigrant Council of Ireland, which became crucial platforms for empowering disadvantaged groups often overlooked by the government.
Cairns emphasized that Sister Stan’s profound spirit of generosity and compassion will be remembered by many. “Her courage and steadfast refusal to accept poverty and homelessness as societal norms will leave a lasting impact,” she said. “While her loss leaves a deep void, the unwavering ambition of Focus Ireland to eradicate homelessness will serve as her enduring legacy.”
Rory Hearne, the housing spokesperson for the Social Democrats, also paid tribute to Sister Stan, acknowledging her fearless commitment to holding successive governments accountable for their housing policies. Hearne reflected on her belief that no one should experience homelessness in a wealthy nation and stressed that permanent housing solutions must replace temporary fixes.
He credited Sister Stan’s work as a source of inspiration, stating how she motivated him and many others in the housing advocacy sphere to challenge the notion that homelessness is an inevitable condition. “Housing should be viewed as a basic human right,” he affirmed, underscoring the fundamental principles that guided Sister Stan’s advocacy.
Hearne concluded by lauding Sister Stan’s significant impact, asserting that her legacy will live on through the continued efforts of Focus Ireland, which aims to shed light on the ongoing crisis of homelessness. Sister Stan’s contributions to social justice serve as a powerful reminder of an individual’s ability to enact meaningful change in society.