Sisters of Mercy

For the rock band of this name, see The Sisters of Mercy. For the song by Leonard Cohen, see Songs of Leonard Cohen.

The Religious Sisters of Mercy (R.S.M.) are members of a religious institute of Catholic women founded in 1831, in Dublin, Ireland, by Catherine McAuley (1778 - 1841). In 2003, the institute had about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations.

Mother Catherine McAuley, R.S.M., foundress of the Religious Sisters of Mercy

Vows and activities

Sisters of Mercy is 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 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 12 December 2011, 14 of the 17 independent congregations in Australia and Papua New Guinea of the Sisters of Mercy combined to form a congregation numbering some 920 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

On 20 May 2009, the institute was condemned in an Irish government report known as the Ryan Report, the work 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

Convent of Mercy, Templemore, County Tipperary

Jamaica

New Zealand

In 1849 Bishop Pompallier visited St Leo's Convent in Carlow, Ireland, seeking nuns to emigrate; eight left from St Leo's, led by Mother Mary Cecilia. They travelled to New Zealand, learning Māori along the way, establishing the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland as the first female religious community in New Zealand in 1850.[6][7]

United Kingdom

United States of America

Secondary schools

Colleges and universities

Defunct

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. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 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. ↑ Delany, Veronica. "Mary Cecilia Maher". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Sisters of Mercy New Zealand | Auckland 1850 - A Voyage Made ‘Only for God’". Sistersofmercy.org.nz. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Holy Cross School Papatoetoe". Hcsp.school.nz. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  9. ↑ St Edward's, Lisson Grove, Marylebone, London
  10. ↑ Black Country History
  11. ↑ "Mount Mercy Academy". Mtmercy.org. Retrieved 23 April 2014.

Further reading

External links