Simply put, this is how Mercy, in common with many other religious congregations, chooses to interact with local communities in the developing world.
Key to this approach is the basic principle that the whole of the person is considered. This means that our support is person-centred and goes beyond the individual to include the family and the broader community.
Our presence within any community tends to be long-term which gives us experience and credibility in that particular environment. We are guided by the core principles of human dignity, social justice, option for the poor, solidarity and care for creation.
The Missionary approach to Development has been recognised by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) as fulfilling our “ultimate goal to enrich and transform the lives of poor, vulnerable and marginalised people”.
Our own Congregational charism is naturally the rock on which this missionary approach to development is built. In the words of our foundress Catherine McAuley, we are called to stand with the poor in “recognising and fostering the dignity of every person.”
For more information on the Missionary Approach to Development, resource material is available, courtesy of Misean Cara, by clinking on the link(s) below:
