In recent years the incidence of sexual and physical abuse by members of religious orders has dominated in the media. These have been deplorable and most reprehensible.

It is the duty, above all of any religious organisation, to reach out and strive to heal and undo the wrong and hurt, and to compensate anybody who has been abused while in their care.

But these tragic events, perpetrated by a very small minority, should not be allowed to obliterate our recognition of the unselfish dedication of that vast majority of members of religious orders in the service of Irish people over the past 150 years.

In researching the work of the orders in Dublin, I was astounded at the great number of schools, hospitals, and caring centres operated by them.

The Irish Christian Brothers have nearly 20 primary and secondary schools in the greater Dublin area. The De La Salle Brothers have four schools, while there are schools in the care of Marist and Presentation Brothers.

The Irish Holy Ghost Fathers, the Vincentian Fathers, the Marist and Jesuit Fathers, as well as the Carmelite Order all run secondary schools in Dublin. The Dominican Order, the Loreto Sisters, the Holy Faith, Presentation, Mercy, and Sisters of Charity, Daughters of Charity, Poor Servants of the Mother of God, Sacred Heart Sisters, Sisters of Christian Education, all have served the educational needs of generations of girls.

Long before "free education" these orders were providing education at minimal cost. Their salaries were ploughed back into the maintenance of their schools, at great saving to government and parents.

Leading hospitals in Dublin were founded and staffed by religious. The Mater, Jervis Street and St Michael's in Dun Laoghaire were all initiated by the Mercy Order. St Vincent's and Temple Street children's hospital were founded by the Irish Sisters of Charity. Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin and St Vincent's psychiatric hospital on Richmond Road are in the care of the Daughters of Charity.

Other Dublin hospitals founded by and in the care of religious include the Bons Secours, Mount Carmel, St Columcille's and St Joseph's. When vocations were plentiful all these institutions were operated at very low cost to this country.

When we look at institutions and centres which provide specialised medical care we see it remains the religious orders who lead the field. The visually-impaired are cared for by the Rosminian Fathers in Drum condra and by the Irish Sisters of Charity on Merrion Road.

Those who have hearing problems receive help from the Dominican Sisters and the Christian Brothers in their respective homes in Cabra. In the matter of psychiatric illnesses the St John of God Brothers' hospital in Stillorgan is recognised internationally as a leading centre for its up-to-date treatment facilities.

The St John of God Order is also responsible for eight other centres in Dublin, where people of all ages receive care for different psychiatric illnesses.

Similarly, the Daughters of Charity care for women who are mentally or educationally handicapped in four centres in Dublin. The Congregation of Little Sisters of the Poor provides secure accommodation for elderly people at homes in Sybil Hill and Roebuck.

For over 150 years the Sisters of Charity have been caring for the terminally ill in their hospice at Harold's Cross. Over recent years the Daughters of Charity have been doing the same at St Francis hospice in Raheny.

Members of religious orders have also been to the fore in combating new areas of deprivation and poverty. CORI, the Conference of Religious in Ireland, has been helping to forge economic and educational policies that are inclusive of all.

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy of the Irish Sisters of Charity has been a leader in caring for the homeless at Focus Point, while the Jesuit priest, Father Peter McVerry, has been doing similar work in Ballymun. Sister Consilio of the Mercy Order has been doing rehabilitation work with alcoholics and those addicted to drugs at her Centres of Care.

The Franciscan Order on Merchants' Quay has been providing similar care and guidance for drug addicts for many years. Above and beyond these prominent centres of care, members of religious orders have been working in depressed city-centre areas as well as in Tallaght and Clondalkin.

So let us say "thank you" to these many Irish men and women who have made practical and visible the loving and compassionate person of Jesus Christ in our society.

Con McGillycuddy is a priest at the parish of St Gabriel's, Dollymount, Dublin