PRESS RELEASE
World Leprosy Day 2022
Our Silent Heroes – Catholic Nuns
Our Silent Heroes – Catholic Nuns
30 January 2022, London, UK: St Francis Leprosy Guild asks the Catholic community to reflect on the great work carried out by the Catholic Orders of nuns and to unite in prayer for God’s blessing on their vocation.
Throughout the world, in remote or impoverished locations, Catholic nuns, with hearts of compassion and dedication, are caring for people with leprosy, visiting those that are alone or isolated and restoring dignity.
Throughout the world, in remote or impoverished locations, Catholic nuns, with hearts of compassion and dedication, are caring for people with leprosy, visiting those that are alone or isolated and restoring dignity.
Gosia
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“Effective, compassionate, Christian care is hard to beat. Some nuns devote their entire lives to caring for people with leprosy,” said Dr Gosia Brykczyńska, RN/RSCN, European President of The International Association of Catholic Nurses (SICIAMS) and Trustee of St Francis Leprosy Guild. |
Throughout its history and as part of its TRACE operating strategy, St Francis Leprosy Guild has partnered with Catholic Orders; nuns who devote their lives to caring for people affected by leprosy.
“It is impossible to quantify how much our dedicated Catholic nuns have transformed lives by caring for people with leprosy and dealing with the loneliness and neglect that come from leprosy stigma” said SFLG’s Chief Executive Officer, Clare McIntosh." |
SFLG's CEO, Clare McIntosh
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Sister Lalitha Fernando of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) works with leprosy patients from the Badulla Leprosy Centre, situated in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. Her work includes long journeys, travelling to remote locations. She visits people with leprosy as their friend, so their neighbours don’t suspect a link with leprosy, and the stigma and rejection, so often associated with this disease, can be avoided.
Sister Lalitha visiting a friend affected by leprosy at their home, with a suspect ulcer caused by leprosy.
“No matter how long my journey or how tired I feel, I love doing the work of St Francis” said Sister Lalitha who visits around 22 people with leprosy every month. Some are frail and elderly, others are isolated and alone, some are living with lifelong disabilities due to leprosy and others are subsistence farmers.
“Whenever the rain fails, there will be no rice crop, and the farmers will suffer that whole year. They may have to work as labourers to supplement their income. Everyone I visit is very grateful for anything that I can bring them, such as medication or provisions. Otherwise, it’s very difficult for them to survive.”
“I visit a 40-year-old woman, whose leg is amputated due to leprosy and who is cared for by her 60-year-old mother. I take them provisions and nutritional supplements. When I first met them, their house was dilapidated, and the roof was falling in. We have since replaced the ceiling, provided running water and a toilet thanks to the support of St Francis Leprosy Guild.”
Sister Lalitha inspecting double amputee, Shivalingam's hand which is clawed due to leprosy
“This is such a worthwhile cause” she added. “People with leprosy feel that someone kind loves them, and they feel understood. They are so happy that someone is just there for them.”
Bishop Declan Lang
“We are greatly inspired by the work that you and the sisters carry out in Sri Lanka, and in other countries with leprosy” said the Right Reverend Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton and Chairman of the Department of International Affairs in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. “In the communities that you support, there must be great loneliness and hardship. I can only imagine how you transform lives by visits and care from yourselves.”
“I am proud to say that the Catholic Church has a tradition of supporting people living with the effects of leprosy. We have a duty, a calling even, to reach out these people and see that they are included and valued.”
“I am mindful of Pope Francis' call to world leaders last World Leprosy Day, to ensure that people are cured from leprosy and can thrive in their communities. I too hope that the leaders of nations will unite in their efforts to treat those with leprosy and promote their social inclusion.”
“I share the Holy Father’s encouragement to nuns, health workers, and volunteers committed to this work and hope that Catholics in England and Wales will pray for and support their mission. It is through such kindness and generosity that people with leprosy can receive medication, provisions and assistance in the most difficult circumstances.”
Badulla Leprosy Centre, Badulla
Badulla has existed since 2013 but the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary have been caring for people with leprosy in Sri Lanka for far longer. The FMM sisters play a major role in treating and supporting leprosy patients at the hospital and further afield.
Download Shivalingam's story
Badulla has existed since 2013 but the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary have been caring for people with leprosy in Sri Lanka for far longer. The FMM sisters play a major role in treating and supporting leprosy patients at the hospital and further afield.
Download Shivalingam's story
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island country situated off south-east India. It has a population of over 21 million people and is home to many religions, ethnic groups, and languages. Although 25 years of violence and civil conflict between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Hindu Tamil minority ended in May 2009, the effects of the conflict are still felt today. Sri Lanka also faces environmental challenges due to the ever-present threat of cyclones and flooding.
Recently introduced government policies to protect the environment, ban farmers from using chemical fertilizers, which results in lower crop yields for some. This issue is further compounded by low exchange rates which means that buying provisions or other necessary items from abroad has become prohibitively expensive. In addition, financial losses caused by a lack of tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic means a lack of revenue to run the country and poverty for many. Sri Lanka is a World Health Organization global priority country for leprosy.
Sri Lanka is an island country situated off south-east India. It has a population of over 21 million people and is home to many religions, ethnic groups, and languages. Although 25 years of violence and civil conflict between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Hindu Tamil minority ended in May 2009, the effects of the conflict are still felt today. Sri Lanka also faces environmental challenges due to the ever-present threat of cyclones and flooding.
Recently introduced government policies to protect the environment, ban farmers from using chemical fertilizers, which results in lower crop yields for some. This issue is further compounded by low exchange rates which means that buying provisions or other necessary items from abroad has become prohibitively expensive. In addition, financial losses caused by a lack of tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic means a lack of revenue to run the country and poverty for many. Sri Lanka is a World Health Organization global priority country for leprosy.
About World Leprosy Day
World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year to increase the public awareness of leprosy. This date was chosen by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi who had compassion for people afflicted with leprosy. Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948.
World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year to increase the public awareness of leprosy. This date was chosen by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi who had compassion for people afflicted with leprosy. Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948.
For other information or interviews please contact:
Clare McIntosh
Chief Executive Officer
St Francis Leprosy Guild
London W10 6EJ
Tel: +44 (0)7754 592240
Email: enquiries@stfrancisleprosy.org
Twitter @StLeprosy
Facebook
Clare McIntosh
Chief Executive Officer
St Francis Leprosy Guild
London W10 6EJ
Tel: +44 (0)7754 592240
Email: enquiries@stfrancisleprosy.org
Twitter @StLeprosy
