Jericho Benedictines - History

History

The Jericho Benedictines began in Paisley, Scotland, during the 1970s, when a group of men found themselves deeply moved by the plight of those who lived rough, and were marginalised by society because of their struggle with alcohol. Father James Ferguson, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, gathered these men together and they chose the name 'Jericho Benedictines', a name which is highly significant. Jericho was the town which had its walls crumble before the power of God; the Jericho Benedictines hope that the walls between society and those suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction will also crumble. The Rule of the Order of St. Benedict stresses that everyone is to be welcomed with true hospitality as though that person were Christ Himself.

The Jericho Benedictine website states that its members have the ministry of... "welcoming, supporting, and caring for those being “passed by on the other side” irrespective of colour, class, creed, sex or sexual orientation"

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