The Order Changeth

TWO questions remain unanswered even as change inevitably caught up with the Missionaries of Charity— Sister Nirmala succeeded Mother Teresa as the religious order's new Superior General. The transition was far from smooth, though the secret was guarded till the formal announcement on March 13.

The first question relates to the mission's immediate past: what compelled the Vatican and Mother Teresa to finally hand over the baton to a successor? In 1990, when the ageing, ailing Mother had indicated her willingness to step down, it had been unanimously agreed that she would continue for awhile. Four times earlier, she had been unanimously re-elected by the worldwide electoral college, though in 1990, she had cast her vote in favour of someone else. And late last year, it became apparent that she was determined to hand over the reins. Some say the 1995 publication of Christopher Hitchens' unflattering book, The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, and a subsequent TV programme, hastened her hand. "Having devoted her life to the service of the people, the Mother was in no mood to be embroiled in controversy in her last days," one of the sisters said. The second question is regarding the future of the institution Mother Teresa built.

Sister Nirmala's election implies that a process of 'Indianisation' has been set in motion—63-year-old Nirmala nee Joshi is Nepali, was born in Ranchi, studied in Patna and joined the order in 1958. Over the years, Mother Teresa and her institution had been synonymous. Her international appeal was unmatched and helped the mission win enormous material and spiritual support from abroad. "This Indian vs non-Indian question may not emerge as a major factor in the running of a missionary institution," says a British volunteer attached to the Missionaries of Charity. But, says a German observer covering the election: "There is no doubt that there could be a diminution in Western interest in and response to the Missionaries of  Charity if a non-European is elected. That is the plain truth and it's best that we admit this and go on from there." Continuity, however, was emphasised by Mother Teresa and her successor at a press conference on March 14. Speaking from the balcony of Mother House, the Mother told national and international media persons in the courtyard below: "I have full faith in Sister Nirmala's ability". "We are all Mother's children and we shall continue the work that was being done all these years," added Sister Nirmala who stood next to the Mother. On the other side of the Mother stood Sister Frederick, who with her experience of working in the Vatican as well as the US, had been favoured to pull off a win. Two factors are likely to have worked against her: her age and a considerable reputation as a strict disciplinarian. She was elected as councillor, along with Sisters Priscilla, Marie Lysa and Martin de Porres.

According to Archbishop Henry De Souza, who supervised the polls, the head of each regional headquarters and one member each were required to select the Superior General and four councillors in a secret ballot. The 123 nuns from 44 regional headquarters covering 123 countries, had come down in January and after a postponement of the polls in February, went into a retreat at Mother House, preparing spiritually for the elections. With the election of the new Superior General, a slow but definite change in the order seems likely. Sister Nirmala's interest in the religious life began in 1951, at the age of 17. At a women's hostel in Calcutta, Nirmala was moved by the sight of her roommate kneeling down to pray. Seven years later, she was baptized and became a nun. She later headed the order's Venezuela branch for a while. Nirmala describes her decision to embrace Christianity as "God's own urging—I have always felt an urge towards God, towards religion." For the moment, there are no discordant notes following the election. Sister Nirmala told a TV interviewer: "With the help of God, my sisters and the people, I expect to carry on the good work. For the moment, I still feel this is a dream." Former tennis player Naresh Kumar, long connected with the order, says: "Sister Nirmala combines great mental strength as well as gentleness. Since 1976, she has been a spiritual mentor, and has headed the contemplative wing for quite some time." But Sister Nirmala asks newsmen not to call her 'mother'—apparently there is only one Mother in the order. "She is totally in the Mother's trust," says a nun. A gentle yet firm reminder that there can be no Missionaries of Charity without Mother Teresa.