How Jericho Benedictine Society began and where it is now:
The Society was founded in Greenock in 1970 to open houses for those being ‘passed by on the other side’ (inspired by the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:30).

A young priest of the Diocese of Paisley was busy about his ministerial duties when he was walking down the road and he saw a woman down and out laying on the street, sick and passed out with intoxication. He went to her aid and as he tried to help the woman up he found it quite difficult. Not long after a passer-by did just that, passed by. Then a fellow priest drove by slowly having a look and giving a wave. As the rain poured down and the cold set in, the young Fr. James Ferguson thought right away of the Gospel reading Jesus told about the poor man who fell prey to robbers on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho, and how every one who came passed by on the other side. It was from this initial experience that the inspiration for the Jericho Benedictine Society was born. To not pass by when others need help.

Not long after Fr. Ferguson, consulting with his Bishop, worked out a plan to help others in difficult situations especially due to addictions. He spent his own earnings to rent a flat, to house a few at first. As it grew, and a few others came to help, the brotherhood began. At this time all the brothers came with what they had, putting all their monies in the common fund. They opened houses here and there, took out bank loans, begged and pleaded on behalf of the poor and downtrodden to be able to get suitable centres and houses.

Before they knew it they were in full swing with up to 10 houses for those suffering from addictions, in recovery, family helps, houses for those on a low income to afford holidays etc. By 1991 they registered as a Charity in Scotland. Back then everything was more simple and straightforward. The Brothers themselves served as Trustees whilst still physically working in their houses alongside paid staff. They were never paid and the work went on very effectively for all these years.

As time passed and the brothers began to get older they looked towards becoming a SCIO as this was the new updated way forward for works of Charitable purposes like their own. In order to do this they needed to be cleared of all debt. They worked long and hard, years of service without any pay whatsoever, they gave all they ever had to the Charity and its work among the needy.

In 2024 their goal was soon to be accomplished. In order to pay off all the debts of the society, they took the ultimate measure forward. To sell their own Monastery of Jesus, their own home, the work of their hands as they built it up in the early days to house the religious brothers who served in the Society.

As the sale was being undergone, there was an internal breech (not among the brothers of the society but a couple workers from within) that proved highly destructive. Soon after OSCR (Government Charity Regulator) sent a Judicial Factor to take over the Society. The Trustees/Brothers thought this was a temporary measure in order to help organize everything for moving forward. It proved not to be so. And the attempt to liquidate all assets and close the Society was at hand.

Herein the brothers are needing your help. If the plan of the Judicial Factor is able to be realized, the houses will be sold to commercial companies, those in most need, those without money will be at risk of not receiving the help and genuine care and compassion that they need. It will become a business. As well, the brothers who have served tirelessly will be put out on the streets and themselves made homeless. They have no assets whatsoever, all their little income from their pensions has now been spent to take this utter injustice to court.

Had things been left to follow their natural course the selling of the brothers monastery would have been sufficient to pay all debts and bring the Charity up to date as a SCIO and the brothers of the Society would have been able to regroup and see to the needs of the poor in a new way with their plan of action for the future.

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