Faith Matters by David Jonathan, Grassroots & Luton Council of Faiths
Last month, Luton’s faith communities mourned the loss of Sr Maire Hayes. As a former member of GRASSROOTS Staff Team, she was a great supporter of the work of Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), and she contributed significantly to inter-faith and cohesion work in Luton.
Sr Maire belonged to a Catholic Religious Congregation called “Daughters of the Holy Spirit”, and as a religious Nun, she went off to Chile at a time, when the country was suffering under Pinochet’s brutal military rule of political suppression through torture, murder, and exile. As a chaplain to the women political prisoners, Sr Maire came across a woman who became pregnant after repeatedly being raped by a prison guard. When this woman requested Sr Maire to ask the fellow prisoner (who was a doctor) for an abortion, the Dr. replied, “She must bear a child for the revolution,” and Sr Marie said, “For this I’d risk even my immortal soul.”
Sr Maire was indeed a brave and courageous Daughter of the Holy Spirit. She never hesitated to take a stand for peace and justice in the world.
Soon after 9/11, she arrived in Luton. She became the Inter Faith Coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton, and she carried out that role with great passion for nearly 20 years.
She also contributed significantly as a member of the Roman Catholic National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN). She laid the foundation of Making Luton a Fairtrade Town Campaign.
Prof Zafar Khan, LCoF Chair of Luton Council of Faiths said, “Sr Maire had an empathetic and engaging personality. We’ll sorely miss her.”
Calling Sr Maire “a faithful servant of Luton and beyond”, the Church of England’s Bishop Richard Atkinson said, “We have lost a passionate inter-faith advocate. Her legacy must continue.”
Sr Maire was friendly and kind-hearted. Her identifying with the poor and marginalized, her strong sense of justice and spirituality, her love of all faiths and cultures, her humour, and creativity was all remarkable and inspirational.
Her gentleness, humility, grace, astuteness, diligence, and the dignified way in which she contributed to life in Luton, will be remembered by us all.
We are grateful for her life, her faith, and her selfless commitment to our town.
