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Missionaries of Charity: Difference between revisions
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| headquarters = 54/a Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata 700016, India | | headquarters = 54/a Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata 700016, India | ||
| leader_title = Superior general | | leader_title = Superior general | ||
| leader_name = Sr. Mary Prema Pierick, M.C. | | leader_name = Sr. [[Mary Prema Pierick]], M.C. | ||
| name = Missionaries of Charity | | name = Missionaries of Charity | ||
| native_name = ''Congregatio Missionariarum a Caritate'' | | native_name = ''Congregatio Missionariarum a Caritate'' | ||
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In 1979 the contemplative branch of the Brothers was added and in 1984 a priest branch, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html |title=Mother Teresa – Biography |work=Nobelprize.org |publisher=Nobel Media AB |access-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> was founded by Mother Teresa with Fr. Joseph Langford, combining the vocation of the Missionaries of Charity with the [[Presbyterate|Ministerial Priesthood]]. As with the Sisters, the Fathers live a very simple lifestyle without television, radios or items of convenience. They neither smoke nor drink alcohol and beg for their food. They make a visit to their families every five years but do not take annual holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mcpriests.com/01_who.htm |title=Missionaries of Charity Fathers website: Who we are |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001132447/http://www.mcpriests.com/01_who.htm |archive-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Laity|Lay Catholics]] and non-Catholics constitute the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa, the Sick and Suffering Co-Workers, and the Lay Missionaries of Charity. | In 1979 the contemplative branch of the Brothers was added and in 1984 a priest branch, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html |title=Mother Teresa – Biography |work=Nobelprize.org |publisher=Nobel Media AB |access-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> was founded by Mother Teresa with Fr. Joseph Langford, combining the vocation of the Missionaries of Charity with the [[Presbyterate|Ministerial Priesthood]]. As with the Sisters, the Fathers live a very simple lifestyle without television, radios or items of convenience. They neither smoke nor drink alcohol and beg for their food. They make a visit to their families every five years but do not take annual holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mcpriests.com/01_who.htm |title=Missionaries of Charity Fathers website: Who we are |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001132447/http://www.mcpriests.com/01_who.htm |archive-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Laity|Lay Catholics]] and non-Catholics constitute the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa, the Sick and Suffering Co-Workers, and the Lay Missionaries of Charity. | ||
The first home of the Missionaries of Charity in the [[United States]] was established in the [[The Bronx|South Bronx]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=At least 15 dead from coronavirus in NY religious orders|url=https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/covid-19-religious-orders-death/65705|last=Agency|first=Catholic News|website=Catholic Telegraph|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> [[New York (state)|New York]], where in 2019 they had convents for both their active and contemplative branches,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cardinal Prays at Burial of Two Missionaries of Charity|url=http://www.cny.org/stories/cardinal-prays-at-burial-of-two-missionaries-of-charity,20996|website=Catholic New York|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> and had placed 108 sisters in their province that stretches from Quebec to Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Missionaries of Charity Praised for Faithfully Following St. Teresa’s Example|url=http://www.cny.org/stories/missionaries-of-charity-praised-for-faithfully-following-st-teresas-example,19743|author=Armando Machado|website=Catholic New York|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> Their first rural mission in the United States, in 1982, was in one of the poorest, former coal mining areas of [[Kentucky]], where they still serve.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mother Teresa's nuns return to her rural Kentucky mission|url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/12/mother-teresas-nuns-return-to-her-rural-kentucky-mission/|website=cruxnow.com|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=37 years after Mother Teresa came to Appalachia, her nuns return to help the poor|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2019/12/24/mother-teresas-nuns-return-appalachia/2635064001/|last=Kenning|first=Chris|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> In the | The first home of the Missionaries of Charity in the [[United States]] was established in the [[The Bronx|South Bronx]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=At least 15 dead from coronavirus in NY religious orders|url=https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/covid-19-religious-orders-death/65705|last=Agency|first=Catholic News|website=Catholic Telegraph|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> [[New York (state)|New York]], where in 2019 they had convents for both their active and contemplative branches,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cardinal Prays at Burial of Two Missionaries of Charity|url=http://www.cny.org/stories/cardinal-prays-at-burial-of-two-missionaries-of-charity,20996|website=Catholic New York|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> and had placed 108 sisters in their province that stretches from Quebec to Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Missionaries of Charity Praised for Faithfully Following St. Teresa’s Example|url=http://www.cny.org/stories/missionaries-of-charity-praised-for-faithfully-following-st-teresas-example,19743|author=Armando Machado|website=Catholic New York|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> Their first rural mission in the United States, in 1982, was in one of the poorest, former coal mining areas of [[Kentucky]], where they still serve.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mother Teresa's nuns return to her rural Kentucky mission|url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/12/mother-teresas-nuns-return-to-her-rural-kentucky-mission/|website=cruxnow.com|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=37 years after Mother Teresa came to Appalachia, her nuns return to help the poor|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2019/12/24/mother-teresas-nuns-return-appalachia/2635064001/|last=Kenning|first=Chris|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> In the USA, the Missionaries of Charity are affiliated with the [[Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious]], a body of female religious, representing 20% of American religious sisters. They are identified by the wearing of religious habits, and loyalty to church teaching. By 1996, the organisation was operating 517 missions in more than 100 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Missionaries of Charity|url=https://www.motherteresa.org/missionaries-of-charity.html|website=www.motherteresa.org|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | ||
In 1990, Mother Teresa asked to resign as head of the Missionaries but was soon voted back in as [[Superior General]]. On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa's death, [[Sister Nirmala|Sister Mary Nirmala Joshi]] was elected the new Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. In April 2009 Sister [[Mary Prema]] was elected to succeed Sister Nirmala, during a [[general chapter]] held in Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zenit.org/article-25481?l=english|title=German Elected to Lead Missionaries of Charity|publisher=[[Zenit News Agency]]|date=2009-03-25|access-date=2009-03-26|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6IAsNFbkG?url=http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/german-elected-to-lead-missionaries-of-charity|archive-date=17 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | In 1990, Mother Teresa asked to resign as head of the Missionaries but was soon voted back in as [[Superior General]]. On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa's death, [[Sister Nirmala|Sister Mary Nirmala Joshi]] was elected the new Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. In April 2009 Sister [[Mary Prema]] was elected to succeed Sister Nirmala, during a [[general chapter]] held in Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zenit.org/article-25481?l=english|title=German Elected to Lead Missionaries of Charity|publisher=[[Zenit News Agency]]|date=2009-03-25|access-date=2009-03-26|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6IAsNFbkG?url=http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/german-elected-to-lead-missionaries-of-charity|archive-date=17 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
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In [[Phoenix, Arizona]], the sisters' accommodation for 40 homeless men is funded by a clothier, featured in [[British Vogue|Vogue]], who grew up within a few blocks of Mother Teresa's original home for the dying destitute in [[Kalighat]], Calcutta.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pax Philomena — local clothing brand with ties to Mother Teresa — spreads joy|url=https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/pax-philomena-local-clothing-brand-with-ties-to-mother-teresa-spreads-joy/|last=Blufish|date=2020-05-14|website=AZ Big Media|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | In [[Phoenix, Arizona]], the sisters' accommodation for 40 homeless men is funded by a clothier, featured in [[British Vogue|Vogue]], who grew up within a few blocks of Mother Teresa's original home for the dying destitute in [[Kalighat]], Calcutta.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pax Philomena — local clothing brand with ties to Mother Teresa — spreads joy|url=https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/pax-philomena-local-clothing-brand-with-ties-to-mother-teresa-spreads-joy/|last=Blufish|date=2020-05-14|website=AZ Big Media|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | ||
[[Princess | [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess Diana]], who was very close to Mother Teresa, wrote that she found in her "the direction I've been searching for all these years".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Princess Diana reveals ‘something very profound touched my life’ in unseen letter|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1280797/princess-diana-news-unseen-letter-mother-theresa-paul-burrell-instagram-diana|last=Harris|first=Katie|date=2020-05-11|website=Express.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | ||
Mother Teresa's sisters were particularly hard hit by the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, as in places they continued to distribute food and minister to the poor who had been affected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sister of Mother Teresa dies from coronavirus giving food to the infected|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Sister-of-Mother-Teresa-dies-from-coronavirus-giving-food-to-the-infected-49745.html|last=AsiaNews.it|website=www.asianews.it|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Officials say ministries of priests and religious during COVID-19 crisis highlight importance of World Day of Prayer for Vocations|url=https://cathstan.org/news/local/officials-say-ministries-of-priests-and-religious-during-covid-19-crisis-highlight-importance-of-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations|website=Catholic Standard|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nun from Mother Teresa’s order dies of coronavirus in UK|url=https://aleteia.org/2020/04/06/nun-from-mother-teresas-order-dies-of-coronavirus-in-swansea-england/|last=Caldwell|first=Zelda|date=2020-04-06|website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | Mother Teresa's sisters were particularly hard hit by the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, as in places they continued to distribute food and minister to the poor who had been affected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sister of Mother Teresa dies from coronavirus giving food to the infected|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Sister-of-Mother-Teresa-dies-from-coronavirus-giving-food-to-the-infected-49745.html|last=AsiaNews.it|website=www.asianews.it|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Officials say ministries of priests and religious during COVID-19 crisis highlight importance of World Day of Prayer for Vocations|url=https://cathstan.org/news/local/officials-say-ministries-of-priests-and-religious-during-covid-19-crisis-highlight-importance-of-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations|website=Catholic Standard|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nun from Mother Teresa’s order dies of coronavirus in UK|url=https://aleteia.org/2020/04/06/nun-from-mother-teresas-order-dies-of-coronavirus-in-swansea-england/|last=Caldwell|first=Zelda|date=2020-04-06|website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> | ||
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==Becoming a Missionary of Charity== | ==Becoming a Missionary of Charity== | ||
{{More citations needed|date=May 2019}} | |||
It takes nine years to become a full-fledged Missionary of Charity. An initial short-term "come-and-see" period is available. Those considered possible candidates by the Congregation may enter Aspirancy, focused on learning English (which is the community language) for those who are not from [[English language|English-speaking]] countries and religious studies. It is followed by [[Postulancy]] (introduction into the study of [[Bible|Scripture]], the Constitutions of the Society, [[History of Christianity|Church history]], and [[theology]]). If found suitable, they enter the Novitiate, the beginning of the religious life. [[Novice]]s wear white cotton habits with a girdle, and white saris without the three blue stripes. In the first year (called canonical), they undertake more religious study and learn about life as a Missionary of Charity, the second year is more focused on practical training for the mission life. After two years, they take temporary vows for one year, which are renewed annually, for five years in total. They also receive a metal crucifix and a [[sari]] whose three blue stripes stand for their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.<ref name=":0" /> In the sixth year, they travel to [[Rome]], Kolkata or Washington D.C. for "Tertianship", further religious study, at the end of which they make their final profession. | It takes nine years to become a full-fledged Missionary of Charity. An initial short-term "come-and-see" period is available. Those considered possible candidates by the Congregation may enter Aspirancy, focused on learning English (which is the community language) for those who are not from [[English language|English-speaking]] countries and religious studies. It is followed by [[Postulancy]] (introduction into the study of [[Bible|Scripture]], the Constitutions of the Society, [[History of Christianity|Church history]], and [[theology]]). If found suitable, they enter the Novitiate, the beginning of the religious life. [[Novice]]s wear white cotton habits with a girdle, and white saris without the three blue stripes. In the first year (called canonical), they undertake more religious study and learn about life as a Missionary of Charity, the second year is more focused on practical training for the mission life. After two years, they take temporary vows for one year, which are renewed annually, for five years in total. They also receive a metal crucifix and a [[sari]] whose three blue stripes stand for their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.<ref name=":0" /> In the sixth year, they travel to [[Rome]], Kolkata or Washington D.C. for "Tertianship", further religious study, at the end of which they make their final profession. | ||
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==Criticism== | ==Criticism== | ||
{{main|Criticism of Mother Teresa}} | {{main|Criticism of Mother Teresa}} | ||
[[File:Nirmal Hriday, Calcutta.jpg|thumb|Mother Teresa's | [[File:Nirmal Hriday, Calcutta.jpg|thumb|Mother Teresa's home for the dying destitute Nirmal Hriday at [[Kalighat]], Kolkata.]] | ||
A British former volunteer at the Home, Robin Fox (now editor of the British medical journal ''[[The Lancet]]'') objected that syringes were rinsed in cold water and reused; that inmates were given cold baths; and that aspirin was administered to people with terminal cancer.<ref name=Fox>{{cite journal |author=Fox, Robin |title=Mother Teresa's care for the dying |journal=The Lancet |volume=344 |issue=8925 |pages=807–808 |year=1994 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(94)92353-1}}</ref> Fox also noted, however, that the residents were "eating heartily and doing well", and that the sisters and volunteers focused on cleanliness, tending wounds and sores, and providing loving kindness.<ref>Loudon, Mary (6 January 1996). "The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, Book Review", ''[[BMJ]]'' vol. 312, no. 7022, 6 January 1996, pp.64–5. Retrieved December 30, 2011. She claimed in her review that Fox had seen those practices; but he made no reference to them in his article</ref> The controversy remains due to the charity's not sterilizing needles and failing to make proper diagnoses, as put by Dr. Jack Preger, "If one wants to give love, understanding and care, one uses sterile needles."<ref name="hin2019">{{cite web |last1=Krishnan |first1=Madhuvanti S. |title=Healing touch |url=https://www.thehindu.com/children/healing-touch/article17515324.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref> | A British former volunteer at the Home, Robin Fox (now editor of the British medical journal ''[[The Lancet]]'') objected that syringes were rinsed in cold water and reused; that inmates were given cold baths; and that aspirin was administered to people with terminal cancer.<ref name=Fox>{{cite journal |author=Fox, Robin |title=Mother Teresa's care for the dying |journal=The Lancet |volume=344 |issue=8925 |pages=807–808 |year=1994 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(94)92353-1}}</ref> Fox also noted, however, that the residents were "eating heartily and doing well", and that the sisters and volunteers focused on cleanliness, tending wounds and sores, and providing loving kindness.<ref>Loudon, Mary (6 January 1996). "The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, Book Review", ''[[BMJ]]'' vol. 312, no. 7022, 6 January 1996, pp.64–5. Retrieved December 30, 2011. She claimed in her review that Fox had seen those practices; but he made no reference to them in his article</ref> The controversy remains due to the charity's not sterilizing needles and failing to make proper diagnoses, as put by Dr. Jack Preger, "If one wants to give love, understanding and care, one uses sterile needles."<ref name="hin2019">{{cite web |last1=Krishnan |first1=Madhuvanti S. |title=Healing touch |url=https://www.thehindu.com/children/healing-touch/article17515324.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref> | ||
In 2018 all child care homes in India run by the Missionaries of Charity were inspected by the Ministry of Women and Child Development following allegations that two staff members at a Jharkhand home sold babies for adoption. A sister and a social worker employed there were arrested. Sister Konsalia Balsa and social worker Anima Indwar were accused of having already sold three babies from the home, which provides shelter for pregnant, unmarried women, and of trying to sell a boy baby for roughly £1325.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/india-inspection-missionaries-of-charity-homes-mother-teresa|title=All Mother Teresa homes inspected amid baby-selling scandal|last=Safi|first=Michael|date=2018-07-17|website= | In 2018 all child care homes in India run by the Missionaries of Charity were inspected by the Ministry of Women and Child Development following allegations that two staff members at a Jharkhand home sold babies for adoption. A sister and a social worker employed there were arrested. Sister Konsalia Balsa and social worker Anima Indwar were accused of having already sold three babies from the home, which provides shelter for pregnant, unmarried women, and of trying to sell a boy baby for roughly £1325.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/india-inspection-missionaries-of-charity-homes-mother-teresa|title=All Mother Teresa homes inspected amid baby-selling scandal|last=Safi|first=Michael|date=2018-07-17|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-22}}</ref> The Missionaries of Charity had discontinued its participation in adoption services in India three years earlier over religious objections to the country's new adoption rules.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mother Teresa's Missionaries Of Charity Says No More Adoptions In India|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/09/447191942/mother-teresas-missionaries-of-charity-says-no-more-adoptions-in-india|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref><section end="Criticism" of="" the="" historical="" catholic="" church="" transclusion="" /> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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*[http://www.mcbrothers.org Missionaries of Charity Brothers (active branch)] | *[http://www.mcbrothers.org Missionaries of Charity Brothers (active branch)] | ||
*[http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html Mother Teresa biography] at the [[Nobel Prize]] foundation site has some information on the history and activities of the Missionaries of Charity. | *[http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html Mother Teresa biography] at the [[Nobel Prize]] foundation site has some information on the history and activities of the Missionaries of Charity. | ||
*[http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/teresa01.html Time Magazine 100 Most Important People of the Century] | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20000618014135/http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/teresa01.html Time Magazine 100 Most Important People of the Century] | ||
*[http://www.ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/NIRMALA.HTM Eternal Word Television Network]—History of the order and bio of Sister Nirmala | *[http://www.ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/NIRMALA.HTM Eternal Word Television Network]—History of the order and bio of Sister Nirmala | ||
*[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_20001017_missionaries-charity_en.html Letter by Pope John Paul II on the 50th anniversary of the order in 2000] | *[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_20001017_missionaries-charity_en.html Letter by Pope John Paul II on the 50th anniversary of the order in 2000] | ||
* [http://www.wimklerkx.nl/EN/PROJECTS/TV.html Teresa's volunteers]—Photo document on volunteers working at Nirmal Hriday in Calcutta, by photographer Wim Klerkx, 1998 | * [http://www.wimklerkx.nl/EN/PROJECTS/TV.html Teresa's volunteers]—Photo document on volunteers working at Nirmal Hriday in Calcutta, by photographer Wim Klerkx, 1998 | ||
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/world/asia/26iht-26calcutta.8073173.html "Volunteering for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity", ''New York Times''] -one volunteer's experience] | * [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/world/asia/26iht-26calcutta.8073173.html "Volunteering for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity", ''New York Times''] -one volunteer's experience] | ||
*[https://www.mcfathers.org/ Missionaries of Charity Fathers Website.] | |||
{{Catholic congregation}} | {{Catholic congregation}} | ||