After 1950
In the 1950’s and 1960’s a new period of outreach occurred. Different ‘Motherhouses’ responded to requests to go to dioceses in the USA to provide Catholic Primary School Education. Many new foundations were set up in the poorer States of the USA, and in South America and Africa.
Diocesan Entity
In the aftermath of Vatican II most Motherhouses and their Branch Houses fused into Single Congregations, one in each diocese in the country. Some areas had already done this merger – places like Dublin, Elphin and Cloyne.
Twenty Six new formal, Diocesan entities were established with mission areas across the world. The new Diocesan structure was a significant evolution and it ended the governance pattern that had existed for over 130 years. The uniformity of the Convent-based community gave way to smaller communities living “on the ground” with vulnerable people.
For the next quarter of a century these 26 Congregations (within dioceses but of pontifical right), nurtured diversification of Ministry and strong affiliations.
Mercy Association
The 26 Diocesan Congregations established close links over time and became more formalised by the establishment of the Mercy Association in 1973. This Body was to become a precursor of the Union which would take place 20 years later.
The Mercy Association brought together the Congregational Leaders on a regular basis for collaboration and discernment. Through this connection, many joint committees and projects were established and mission fields extended.
A Common Mercy Constitution
A Common Mercy Constitution for Ireland was completed and approved in 1985. In that year, 1985, the Mercy Association was reconstituted to become a policy-making organisation for Mercy Sisters and it was renamed, Mercy Ireland
To see the Mercy Association Chronology, please click here.
Mercy Ireland
The Remit of the new organisation was to explore closer union among the diocesan entities and to continue inter-collaborative ministry projects. With Mercy Ireland the call for greater cohesion gathered momentum with a desire to give deeper expressions to Communion and to progress Mercy Ministry for the relief of poverty, in its diverse forms.
At this time membership size in each Congregation was widely different, varying from 40 – 400 approximately. It was evident that diocesan configuration was no longer sufficient. The need for Reconfiguration became a focal point for Mercy Leaders. Mercy Ireland called for a time of discernment and courage.
A long process of consultation, canonical protocols, Chapter decisions and a plebiscite of some 3,500 members, took place. The decision to bring the 26 independent Congregations into One Union was reached in 1992, with over 90% agreement.
The Independent Congregation in South Africa, who had already adopted the Irish Mercy Constitution, requested to join the New Union.
The Spirit of the New Beginning was palpable and widespread
To read Regina Kelly’s article, please click here.
July 14th, 1994
The Congregation of The Sisters of Mercy
On July 14th, 1994 the 27 Independent Mercy Congregations, each of pontifical right and one from South Africa, gathered in Tallaght Stadium, in Dublin, to inaugurate the Union of all Independent Congregations. There were 2,000 Sisters present, together with Church Representatives, friends and colleagues. Once again the Sisters of Mercy embraced Change, in the service of all people.
To view Press Release, please click here
To view Declaration from Booklet of Sisters of Mercy, please click here
To view Fax Announcing Provinces, please click here
Seven Provinces
Within the New Union the Congregation organised itself into Seven Provinces:
The United States Province
The South African Province
The Kenyan Province
The Northern Province
The Southern Province
The Western Province
The South Central Province
This new entity would be directed by a Central Leadership Team which exercises a Unifying, Animating and Guiding Role for the whole Congregation.
In this New Structure the Province became a significant part of the whole Body with responsibility for a web of local communities. It had to forge a new sense of identity, blend its constituent cultures and traditions and keep the purpose of Mercy Mission in its vision.
Each of the Four Provinces in Ireland was made up of a fusion of several diocesan units.
The USA and Kenyan Provinces were established from a combination of many small groups which had been mission extensions of larger diocesan units in Ireland.
The Province became the tangible functioning structure of the New Union with a high level of autonomy, according to Canon Law and with a specific governance section in the Constitution.
To view the story of the Rwanda Mission, please click here.
Out of the vibrant waters of our time, the pain of humanity calls us to be bridge
builders in a broken world. (Chapter Statement 1994)
The Call still echoes in the heart of the Sisters of Mercy
