An attempt to counteract the cynicism that sometimes surrounds the legal profession is being tackled head-on by the Jesuits. Carol Coulter reports.
The Jesuit Centre for Spirituality in Manresa House in Dublin, is organising a day of reflection for practising lawyers tomorrow.
It is intended to respond to the constant demands of legal practice, which, according to the organiser, Father Conall Ó Cuinn SJ, "make it extremely hard for a legal practitioner to create time and space for an inner life".
"Legal practice needs to be acknowledged for what it is, an exceptionally demanding profession which creates demands upon a practitioner's time, conscience and relationships with few parallels in other occupations," he said.
He said the starting point for the day of reflection would concern the loss of a vision which sustains legal practice. The early idealistic vision that often inspires those going into law is all too quickly lost. This leads to a loss of meaning and fulfilment in one's work. While often financially rewarding, legal practice ultimately can fail to leave the solicitor/barrister with a deeper sense that their work is satisfying and worthwhile, he said.
Barrister Mr Patrick Treacy, Father Peter Hannan, Father Leon Ó Giollain and Father Peter McVerry will join Father Ó Cuinn in addressing these issues tomorrow. The Manresa Centre can be contacted at 01-8331352.