The newly elected head of Kerala’s first indigenous women Religious says she would lead her congregation–one of India’s most populous–with dialogue and consultations.

Sister Sancta Kolath, the new superior general of the Congregation of Mother Carmel, said “constant dialogue and refection” with her nuns would help her lead them.

The Kerala-based congregation of some 6,300 nuns elected its leader Dec. 2. It also elected a team of six to lead its members spread across the globe in 20 provinces and six regions, including one in Africa.

“I believe it is God who appointed me to this service” of leadership. The congregation’s prayer and support “give me courage, strength and confidence, though this is a period of challenges,” the nun said.

Without explaining the challenges she said “stray events of problems can be settled by prayerful consultations and meaningful dialogue.”

Her congregation hit national headlines in recent times when controversies involved her nuns.

Early this year a senior nun left convent and published her autobiography accusing the Church of corruption and sex abuse. Some nuns of the congregation also entangled themselves in police cases following a land dispute with a parish in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.

“Problems are part and parcel of every congregation. I accept them as challenges and situations to be handled,” Sister Kolath said adding: “Very many sisters are deeply spiritual and highly resourceful, and they are the real asset of our congregation.”

Plans and priorities of the new leadership will be finalized in forthcoming general council in April 2010, she said adding her congregation continues to attract an average  100 new members every year.

 The “good number” of candidates joining every year “reveals that people of God have trust in our congregation. I move forward peacefully trusting in my Lord,” she said.

The congregation has formed a new mission region in Africa. “Its development in all aspects is one of our primary concerns,” said the nun.

The new leadership would also seek “the spiritual renewal of members to help them grow in deep communion in three levels–with God, with people and within community members.”

Sister Kolath said re-interpretation of their “charism according to the signs of times is essential.” Another “urgent” need is to “put more thrust” in activities of evangelization, she said.

The congregation began in 1866 grew rapidly and is one of the fast growing congregations in India.

Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara in collaboration with Carmelite Father Leopold Beccaro founded the congregation, making it the first Religious Congregation for women in the Syro-Malabar Church.

The congregation mainly runs educational institutions aiming at intellectual, social, economic, moral and spiritual advancement of people, particularly of women and children.

Source: UCAN

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