Religious Life

Religious Orders were created, in some case many centuries ago, to cater for the needs of Catholics.

There were teaching and nursing orders, both looking after the physical needs, and closed orders, like Carmelites, who spent their days in prayer for the spiritual needs of others.

Today, education is almost entirely the province of lay people, and our health is looked after in most countries by paid doctors and nurses.

So are Religious Orders superfluous?  Certainly not!

The need for nuns and brothers remains in many countries in the world. There are insufficient doctors, nurses and teachers to look after the millions of people in the underdeveloped countries of the world.

Even in India, which developed during many years of colonial rule, there is still a need for nuns like Mother Theresa and her Sisters of Charity.

Do you have views on this need?

If so, please tell us about them on our home page.