St John of God Brothers Transition Governance to Lay Leaders

The Religious Order of St John of God has announced a significant governance change, stepping aside from leadership roles in its institutions across Ireland and the West European Province. This decision marks a pivotal shift toward lay leadership, aimed at enhancing the governance of the Order’s services and works, which extend to the UK, the Netherlands, and Africa.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Order acknowledged the growing demand for lay individuals to assume greater leadership responsibilities within the West European Province. Currently, the order comprises 14 members in Ireland, with 12 aged over 80. The organization has been providing vital services for over 140 years, supporting more than 12,000 children, adolescents, and adults, aided by a workforce of 3,500 staff and 420 volunteers.

The decision follows a turbulent period marked by funding challenges. In February 2024, the Health Service Executive (HSE) reached an agreement with St John of God Community Services, allowing it to continue delivering essential intellectual disability and mental health services. The organization had been in negotiations with the HSE for several years, citing a significant funding shortfall that it estimated required a bailout of over €30 million to maintain its community services.

Initially, in early 2024, the Order announced plans to cease providing services by August 2024 due to a failure to secure necessary funding. Fortunately, an agreement was ultimately reached, averting a potential disruption in services. The organization had faced similar threats in 2020, which also resulted in negotiations for future funding.

Transitioning Leadership to Lay Individuals

Over the years, the St John of God Order has implemented structures allowing laypeople to take leadership roles, ensuring the continuation of its services, particularly in the areas of disability and mental health. The Order celebrated the appointment of Jerry Dempsey as the new chief executive of the St John of God Hospitaller Services Group (SJOG HSG). Mr. Dempsey brings over 25 years of executive management experience from various sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and environmental services across Ireland, the UK, and the USA.

The forthcoming phase of this transition will see the remaining Irish and UK brothers resign from the SJOG HSG and SJOG Malawi boards, with a complete transfer of governance expected by the end of 2025. This marks a significant evolution for the organization, entrusting the leadership fully to lay individuals who are committed to the mission and values of the Order.

The SJOG Group encompasses several entities, including St John of God Community Services; St John of God Hospital in Stillorgan, Co Dublin; the St John of God Foundation (fundraising); and the St John of God Hospitaller Services in Malawi, among others. In its statement, the Order expressed profound gratitude to all members of the St John of God family for their dedication and hard work in meeting the wellbeing needs of those they serve and their families.

The shift to lay leadership represents a transformative moment for the St John of God Order, reflecting its commitment to adapting to modern governance needs while continuing to provide essential services to some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.