The Missionaries of Charity: A Global Order Built on Radical Poverty and Service
In short: Founded in 1950 by Mother Teresa, the Missionaries of Charity operate in 139 countries, serving the world's most vulnerable. From soup kitchens to orphanages, their 5,750 members adhere to a strict, simple lifestyle, taking a unique fourth vow to provide wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.
The Missionaries of Charity began as a small community of 12 members in Kolkata. Officially recognized as a Catholic organization on 7 October 1950, the order expanded rapidly after Pope Paul VI granted a Decree of Praise in 1965. Today, the congregation includes active and contemplative branches for sisters, brothers, and priests, all committed to a life of extreme simplicity. Members possess only a few essential items, such as three saris, a rosary, and a crucifix, and they eschew modern conveniences like television or alcohol.
Becoming a full-fledged member is a rigorous nine-year process. Candidates progress through stages including Aspirancy, Postulancy, and a two-year Novitiate, culminating in a period of temporary vows before final profession. This commitment supports a vast network of 760 homes worldwide. While the order is celebrated for its dedication to the dying, refugees, and the disabled, it has faced scrutiny. In the mid-1990s, medical observers criticized the lack of strong analgesics and the reuse of needles in their facilities, though defenders noted these practices were constrained by local Indian regulations and resource limitations.
The order has also navigated complex geopolitical and legal landscapes. In 2016, four sisters were killed in an attack on a home in Aden, Yemen, and in 2018, the organization faced investigations in India following allegations of illegal adoption practices. Furthermore, in December 2021, the Indian government briefly blocked the order's foreign funding registration amid accusations of religious conversion, a decision that was reversed in January 2022. Despite these controversies, the Missionaries of Charity remain a prominent global force, continuing to operate missions from the South Bronx to Baghdad.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Missionaries of Charity
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