This study examines how the governance structures that operated in this congregation evolved in response to ecclesiastical legislation of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially to the Second Vatican Council's mandate for adaptation and renewal. The history of religious life in the Catholic Church is one that is marked by starts and finishes. Few institutes last more than 200 years without a major reconfiguration or renewal. Many institutes were set up in accordance with the Church laws that were in effect at the time, even though this was not what the founders or foundresses had in mind when they presented their proposals for a new foundation. This is particularly so in the case of religious institutes of women. For, in a number of instances, because the canon law was so designed, cloister and solemn vows were imposed on persons who wished to exercise some type of apostolate out in the world, rather than from behind convent walls. This created unnecessary tensions as the obligations of prayer and community life were conjugated with the needs of those being served in so many ways. As social conditions changed, particularly with the industrial revolution, women in the Church, oftentimes inspired by their bishops, realized that things had to change. Thus it was that, gradually, new institutes of women began to emerge; the members left the shelter of the cloister and undertook difficult and even dangerous work with those who were most in need of assistance. Members of nursing communities, particularly in times of epidemics, risked their lives to render help to the poor, the sick and the dying. Education was another area where there were special needs, especially among the poor who could not afford schooling. As elsewhere in Europe, such needs to assist "the poor, the sick and the ignorant" were strongly felt in Ireland. Catherine McAuley, a woman of vision, was not afraid to face opposition, and even bigotry, in order to come to the assistance of those in greatest need, while, at the same time, making the saving and healing mission of Jesus Christ better known and understood. The Institute of Sisters that she founded was, like so many others, subject to the canonical regulations in effect at the time. Her Order could not be centralised, but rather each house was subject to the bishop of the diocese where it was located. This system worked fine for a number of years; but, as the fields of healthcare and education became more refined and even more complicated, the need for greater coordination and unity made itself felt. There were initial movements towards types of union or federation within the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy. Some of these were imposed, as it were, on Sisters residing in the same diocese or country; other types were voluntary. Not all of them produced the same beneficial results. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), religious institutes were asked to return to their sources, to study the intentions and desires of the Founders and Foundresses, and, where necessary, to rekindle the founding ideal. This was based on what was known in theological circles as the "founding charism" of the Institute, or its special gift received from the Holy Spirit for the good of people. The Sisters of Mercy, as one of the largest of the English-speaking foundations of women in the Church, were no exception. As various studies were undertaken on the life and mission of Catherine McAuley, it became evident that the style of government now exercised in the convents of the Order needed to be re-examined. This led to major re-groupings of the Sisters, whether in the USA, in Australia, or in Ireland. Also, but to a lesser degree, there were other Federations established in England, in New Zealand, and elsewhere. New groups are still being founded, with the example of Papua and New Guinea perhaps being foremost among the new and creative foundations of the Order. Of course, the Sisters of Mercy were not alone in this
| ISBN | 0773461868 | | DEWEY edition | DC22 | | ISBN13 | 9780773461864
(What's this?) | | Pages | 274 | | Publisher | The Edwin Mellen Press Ltd | | Volumes | 001 | | Imprint | Edwin Mellen Press Ltd | | Published in | New York | | Format | Hardback | | Series title | Roman Catholic Studies | | Publication date | 01 May 2005 | | Height (mm) | 235 | | Library of Congress | BX4482.2.L | | Academic level | Postgraduate, Professional / Scholarly | | DEWEY | 271.92 | |
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| | | Preface by Francis G. Morrisey | | |
| Ch. I | | Foundation of the Sisters of Mercy | | 1 |
| Ch. II | | Centralising trends in the congregation | | 49 |
| Ch. III | | Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy (Ireland) | | 105 |
| Ch. IV | | Considerations and implications of union | | 165 |
| App. I | | Decree of approval, Decretum Laudis | | 225 |
| App. II | | Papal confirmation of rule and constitutions of Sisters of Mercy | | 226 |
| App. III | | Declaration concerning the juridical nature of the Sisters of Mercy | | 227 |
| App. IV | | Result of chapter vote on union June-November 1991 | | 228 |
| App. V | | Result of individual declaration of intent July-December 1991 | | 229 |
| App. VI | | Decree confirming erection of the new institute | | 230 |
| App. VII | | Papal approval of revised constitutions 1995 | | 231 |
| App. VIII | | Mission directives | | 232 |
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