The candid observations were made in a recent interview with Global Sisters Report, by Apostolic Carmel sister, Maria Nirmalini.

Nirmalini is the President of the Conference of Religious India and she spoke about her observations of the current state of religious life in India.

According to Nirmalini, she has seen a decline in passion and dedication among religious men and women in India.

"I have observed a decline in the passion and dedication among them compared to our earlier missionaries, who were ready to die for their faith and mission.

"Today, many prefer to confine themselves to their comfort zones or escape from criticism by religious fanatics.

"The pandemic has created many lazy missionaries, and some even got addicted to alcohol and social media," observed Nirmalini.

While laziness is more apparent among men, she said religious women are not exempt.

Nirmalini also spoke about the hierarchical model of the Church in India, which she believes needs to change.

"At international meetings, people, irrespective of their status in the hierarchy, sit around the table and discuss things as equals. Here in India, we still follow some protocols based on hierarchies."

Suggesting this needs to change, Nirmalini says the Conference of Religious India has "started a conscious move toward breaking these egocentric protocols," but that breaking the hierarchical model of the Church is not just about seating arrangements, but equality and fraternity.

Nirmalini says the Indian Church is too institutionalised and lacks real leadership.

‘The leadership concept in the church is too much institutionalised, as only the superiors play the leader with others just "obeying" them.

"The vow of obedience does not only mean that one should yield to external instructions; we should listen to internal calls and convictions, respecting one's dignity and potential."

Acknowledging the shortage of vocations in India, particularly among religious women, Nirmalini emphasised the importance of forming religious women with independent thinking, dignity and leadership instead of forming them to be "obedient sheep".

Nirmalini acknowledged the challenges faced by the Indian Church, such as sexual exploitation, gender inequality, unfair salary systems and clergy domination.

She says that after just one year as president of the Conference of Religious in India, the system has not yet changed but stated that there are definite plans and systems in place to address these challenges.

Nirmalini also addressed the recent mysterious deaths of nuns and the alleged rape of a sister by a Catholic bishop, calling them "unfortunate incidents," and emphasised the court's importance in deciding on innocence or guilt.

She emphasised the need for platforms that foster mutual sharing and psychological well-being, emphasising that "silent suffering" is no longer acceptable.

Lastly, Nirmalini urged the Indian Church to collaborate with civil society and not retreat from their social services to avoid criticism from hard-line groups."

She believes that this is not the time to be passive but rather to actively address the challenges faced by the Indian Church.

Nirmalini, who was elected in 2021 and took office in 2022, leads over 130,000 religious men and women.

Source

• Global Sisters Report

Religious sisters in the West African nation of more than 31 million people have been working hard to debunk COVID-19 vaccine myths. But misinformation is rampant, ranging from denial that the virus exists to various false side effects.

Elijah Nayoo received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Mater Ecclesiae Hospital in Akrofu, run by the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church.

Previously, Nayoo believed that the vaccine was unsafe and had severe side effects on human bodies. He told Global Sisters Report he vowed never to take 'the jab' as it is referred to in many African countries.

"I couldn't believe that one day I would receive the COVID-19 vaccine because I have always had a negative perception about the vaccines," said the 36-year-old father of two who works as an accountant in Accra. Nevertheless, he got his first dose at the end of January.

According to the Coronavirus Resource Centre at Johns Hopkins University, as of February 16, just over 15% of the country's population was fully vaccinated.

"I am thankful to the sisters for their key intervention toward containing the pandemic", said Nayoo.

He explained that, through the education he received from the sisters, he has been able to speak to his family members and friends to take their jabs. "The campaign messages changed my mind, and that of other people, to avail themselves of the vaccine".

Sister Lucy Hometowu, superior general of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, said vaccine myths in Ghana and other African countries had led many citizens to forego vaccinations. This is despite virus cases and deaths rising fast in the continent amid a fourth wave of infections.

"We have undertaken educative campaigns to demystify the myth surrounding the vaccines," said Hometowu who is also an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

The effort to educate the public about COVID-19 vaccinations by Catholic sisters in Ghana started at the same time in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. The programme has since been expanded to other countries, including India, Tanzania and Congo.

Sources

Crux Now