The Vincentian Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) signed a “memorandum of understanding” on the merger on June 27 in Bangalore, India.
According to Sister Severin, the merging of congregations is a new trend in the Catholic Church, especially in Western nations. Her 109-member congregation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will now become part of the Sisters of Charity “in every sense, accepting their leadership and charism.”
She said all their infrastructure, properties, assets and institutions would now become part of the Nazareth congregation, rather than going to some diocese or being taken over by the government.
After signing the agreement, Sister Shalini D’Souza, outgoing SCN president, told UCA News the merger is in the initial stage and still needs papal approval.
