A sort of homecoming for African nuns on a mission in Kildare

A GROUP of nuns are turning Irish missionary habits on their head by coming to Ireland from Africa to work with marginalised communities.

The five members of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ Order were formally welcomed to their new assignment in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin yesterday.

Their experience is expected to be invaluable in helping to minister to the area’s large and growing immigrant population which includes nationals from many African countries.

The sisters were invited to the diocese by Bishop James Moriarty in what turns out to be a homecoming of sorts as their order was founded by an Irishman, the late Archbishop Charles Heerey from Co Cavan in 1937.

Archbishop Heerey set up the order while on missionary assignment in Nigeria in response to what he saw as the needs of the local women who were considered very much second-class citizens.

Since then, the order has focused on education and family support with an emphasis on empowering women to play a fuller role in their communities.

The arrival of the five sisters to their new base in Kildare town is a major change of direction after generations of a tradition which has seen thousands of Irish nuns set out on the long journey to live and work among communities in Africa.

Superior of the order, Sr Merilyn Umunnakwe, said she was delighted to be bucking the trend.

“Our homecoming to Ireland, the land of our founding father, is the realisation of a long-term dream of the Sisters,” she said.

“We look forward to working with the parish and the diocese in furthering the development of a ministry to the many people who have come from different parts of the world to settle here in Kildare and in the surrounding areas.”

The sisters were welcomed with a special celebration mass concelebrated by Dr Moriarty and the priests of the diocese followed by a reception attended by many of the local and immigrant community.