VC was set-up as a lay missionary association in 1960. The first VC members, who were mainly students, participated in social and pastoral work as volunteers during their summer break in England and Scotland helping Irish emigrants with their new lives. In 1960, the first members went on assignment to Nigeria. In 1961 members departed for Peru, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The organisation has supported thousands of projects and sent over 2500 volunteer development and humanitarian workers into the field since its inception.
While VC is rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition and we specialise in the faith-based sector, our international work has no borders and we welcome volunteers and partner organisations of all faiths and none.
As a faith-based organisation Viatores Christi works towards embedding the Missionary Approach to Development in all its policies, practise and programmes. This particular approach has been promoted by our funder Misean Cara.
The core values of the Missionary Approach to Development are to operate through justice, compassion, integrity, commitment and respect. In working from these core values, Viatores Christi is informed by gospel values and committed to freedom, peace and justice in the creation of a better world for poor and marginalised peoples.