Office of Social Concerns Records, 1969-1997 | Maryknoll Mission Archives

This collection has been arranged into 10 series.

Series 1, Central America, contains materials on the broad Central America geographic region such as meeting minutes, reports, and subject files on specific countries.

Series 2, El Salvador, contains materials on El Salvador broadly, and on the Sisters’ work and advocacy in El Salvador specifically. This series contains two subseries: Administration and Subject Files.

Series 3, Guatemala, contains materials on the Sisters’ work and advocacy in Guatemala.

Series 4, Nicaragua, contains materials on the Sisters’ work and advocacy in Nicaragua, and topical files on events and movements in Nicaragua. This series contains two subseries: Administration and Subject Files.

Series 5, Peru, contains topical files and materials on the Sisters’ work and advocacy in Peru.

Series 6, South America, contains materials on the broad South America geographic region such as meeting minutes, correspondence, and subject files.

Series 7, Africa, contains materials on the broad Africa geographic region, such as meeting minutes, correspondence, and subject files on specific countries.

Series 8, Asia, contains materials on the broad Asia geographic region, such as meeting minutes, correspondence, and subject files on specific countries. This series contains one subseries, Philippines.

Series 9, Subject Files, contains material created and gathered by the OSC that is not specific to a geographic area.

Series 10, Office Administration, contains the administrative files of the OSC, such as reports, meeting minutes, operational plans and policies, correspondence, and contextual materials.

In 1973, Sr. Barbara Hendricks, President of the Maryknoll Sisters, asked Sr. Annette Mulry to consider working on a Desk of Social Concerns. At this time the phrase “social concerns” had a similar definition to the phrase “social justice and advocacy”. The creation of the Desk was in response to the increasing oppression occurring in areas where Maryknoll Sisters were in mission. In February 1974, Sr. Annette opened the Desk of Social Concerns within the Research and Planning Department directed by Sr. Janet Carroll. At the same time, the Maryknoll Sisters were granted their NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) status at the United Nations. Sr. Janet was named the NGO representative and Sr. Annette was her alternate.

From 1974-1980, in addition to keeping abreast of trends, movements, and events in the realm of social justice, the Desk also assisted the Governing Board in responding to critical events affecting the Congregations’ work and membership. Such events included natural disasters, economic trends, political movements, war, social, judicial, and legislative change, etc. Until 1980 the Desk of Social Concerns continued as a one-person operation with occasional assistance from missioners.

In 1978, the Eleventh General Assembly recommended the personnel for Social Concerns be increased in order to address issues of injustice more effectively. Following a reorganization of the Secretariates in 1980, the Office of Social Concerns (OSC) was established as its own, separate organizational entity. Srs. Helene O’Sullivan and Marie Rosso joined the office and Sr. Annette retired in 1982. Over the years, more than 20 Sisters gave full or part time service to the OSC. The appointment of RSCCs (Regional Social Concerns Coordinators/Teams) was important in maintaining communications on human rights and social justice issues within the regions. This enabled collaboration between the OSC and US faith-based solidarity groups and informed consultation with the CGB.

By 1986, the OSC developed into a three desk model with staff focused on World Section responsibilities: Africa, Asia/Pacific/USA, and Latin America. In late 1997, the Office of Social Concerns merged with the Maryknoll Society’s Office of Justice and Peace to become the collaborative Office for Global Concerns.