Sisters of Mercy

The Religious Sisters of Mercy (RSM) is a religious institute of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. As of 2003, the institute has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations.

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Vows and activities

Sisters of Mercy are an international community of Roman Catholic women religious vowed to serve people who suffer from poverty, sickness and lack of education with a special concern for women and children. Members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the evangelical counsels commonly vowed in religious life, and, in addition, vows of service. They continue to participate in the life of the surrounding community. In keeping with their mission of serving the poor and needy, many sisters engage in teaching, medical care, and community programs. The organization is active in lobbying and politics.

History

The religious institute began when McAuley used an inherited fortune to build a "House of Mercy" in Dublin that provided educational, religious, and social services for poor women and children. The House aroused local opposition, however, it being traditional for nuns rather than lay women to engage in this sort of activity. Eventually the church hierarchy agreed to the formation of a non-cloistered institute, and the sisters became known informally as the "walking nuns" for their ability to care for the poor outside a convent. The house still sits today, as the Mercy International Centre.

In the year of 1992, the leaders of the various congregations created the Mercy International Association to foster collaboration and cooperation. The purpose of the Association is to provide support and foster collaboration, organisation and inspiration for the ministries of Sisters of Mercy and their associates.[1]

On the 12th of December 2011, the 15 independent congregations in Australia and Papua New Guinea of the Sisters of Mercy combined to form a single congregation numbering circa 900 sisters. [2]

Constitution

The Sisters of Mercy are constituted as religious and charitable organizations in a number of countries. Mercy International Association is a registered charity in the Republic of Ireland.[3] In the United Kingdom, The Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain is a registered charity, and in 2006–7 had a gross income of £5.5million.[4]

Controversies

Main article: Abuse scandal in the Sisters of Mercy

The institute was condemned in an Irish government report on May 20, 2009 entitled the Ryan Report of "The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse." The Sisters of Mercy were named as the chief among the institutes under whose care girls "endured frequent assaults and humiliation designed to make them feel worthless ... personal and family denigration was widespread".[5]

Schools founded or run by Sisters of Mercy

Australia

Belize

Ireland

Jamaica

New Zealand

United Kingdom

United States of America

Secondary schools

Colleges and universities

See also

References

  1. ^ Mercy International Association
  2. ^ "Foundation Chapter and Eucharist heralds new era for Sisters of Mercy". institute.mercy.org.au/newscentre. Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia - News Centre. 2011-12-21. http://institute.mercy.org.au/newscentre/view_article.cfm?loadref=269&id=1100. Retrieved 22-12-2011. 
  3. ^ Registered Charity no. CHY 10078.
  4. ^ The Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain, Registered Charity no. 288158 at the Charity Commission
  5. ^ 'Endemic' rape and abuse of Irish children in Catholic care, inquiry finds
  6. ^ Black Country History
  7. ^ http://www.mtmercy.org
  8. ^ http://www.sistersacademycampaign.com

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