Acknowledging Sr Brigid Arthur csb OAM
This year marks the conclusion of Sr Brigid Arthur’s time as Co-Coordinator of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP), a ministry she co-founded in 2001 with Sr Catherine Kelly csb. Her remarkable contribution to education, social justice and the mission of Kildare Ministries stands as an enduring testament to her Brigidine vocation — a life lived with courage, compassion and deep faith.
From her earliest days as a Brigidine Sister, Brigid devoted herself to education, serving as teacher and principal in several Catholic secondary schools. She believed that education was about far more than academic achievement — that it must form young people to think critically, act justly and care deeply. Her influence continues today through her regular visits to Kildare Ministries schools, where she speaks with passion about justice for asylum seekers in Australia and calls staff and students alike to act for a more compassionate and equitable society.
Brigid’s deep sense of justice and compassion found new expression when she and Sr Catherine Kelly established the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project in Albert Park. Guided by the Brigidine motto Strength and Kindness, BASP provides practical and emotional support to people seeking asylum — offering housing, food, employment assistance, education opportunities and advocacy. For more than two decades, Brigid has been at the forefront of this work, accompanying hundreds of individuals and families, listening to their stories and walking beside them through unimaginable uncertainty. She has been a fearless advocate in the public arena — writing, speaking and lobbying for humane policies and fair treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
Her advocacy has always reached beyond charity to systemic change. Brigid has represented the interests of the most vulnerable in Parliament, in the media and in the courts, where she has served as litigation guardian for young people and asylum seekers navigating complex legal processes. Her courage and persistence have given voice to those who might otherwise remain unheard. Through her leadership, BASP has become a powerful symbol of welcome and a source of practical hope for those seeking safety and belonging in Australia.
Since becoming one of Kildare Ministries’ community works in 2018, BASP has continued to grow under Brigid’s guidance. Even as she concludes her role as Co-Coordinator, she remains closely involved — mentoring others, leading advocacy and education initiatives, and ensuring that the project continues to stand as a beacon of justice and compassion. Her unwavering belief that “hope is not passive” continues to inspire all who share her commitment to hospitality and human dignity.
Throughout her life and ministry, Brigid has embodied the Brigidine spirit — a spirit of strength, kindness, hospitality and justice. Whether in a classroom, in front of a crowd at a public rally, or standing beside someone seeking refuge, she has lived the Gospel with conviction and hope. Her example reminds us that transformation begins with welcome — a welcome that listens, understands and acts.
With deep gratitude, the Trustees and the entire Kildare Ministries community thank Brigid for her lifelong dedication, her leadership and her unwavering belief in the power of hope. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we seek to live out the Gospel call to act justly and to live in peace.
