Beloved nuns farewell Bourke forever

Story – Tricia Duffield

A unique chapter in Bourke’s history has ended, with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters announcing that they will no longer return.

While the fulltime presence of the nuns ended in 2016, at least three Sisters have continued their work in Bourke with regular visits at least three times a year. Those visits have now officially ceased.

The Missionaries of Charity order, founded by Mother Teresa, was a familiar and comforting sight in Bourke for almost 50 years. Mother Teresa, now known as Saint Teresa of Kolkata, and five of her sisters arrived in Australia on September 10, 1969.

They officially established their first mission house in Bourke on September 24, 1969.

Mother Teresa stayed for two weeks, before leaving her nuns to learn how to be ‘Australians’.  They had to learn how to drive, to become familiar with local customs, and to be part of the fabric of Bourke.

In 2016 the nuns moved to Orange but returned regularly to continue their work. Those visits have now ceased permanently.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green said the order established by Mother Teresa was run by a religious general based in India, with each section having a local superior who follows the directives set by the general.

The decision to withdraw the nuns completely from their work in Bourke has been met with sadness and a sense of loss.

The Bishop said he felt ‘very upset’ about the decision, but said the sisters belonged to an independent order and had to follow directives set by that order.

“I didn’t know the sisters would not be returning to Bourke until around the time of Sister Fidelis’ recent funeral,” Bishop Columba said.

“I don’t know why they will no longer be visiting Bourke, I wasn’t privy to that decision, but I know they will be deeply missed.

“When Mother Teresa came out to Bourke, she led the nuns to show people they were loved unconditionally, especially Aboriginal people, or people on the fringes of society, people who had been neglected.

“The nuns brought the love of Christ to anyone in need. […]

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Father Oche, middle front, with the Missionaries of Charity and Bourke parishioners after mass last Sunday. Photo TWH