Team Herald
PANJIM: The Missionaries of Charity headquarters in Kolkata has confirmed that it has decided to close its operations in Panjim after finding it difficult to continue services because of a sharp decline on vocations. For nearly 50 years, the Sisters have operated in the Capital from a building in St Inez, owned by
Assistência Goa.
“It is after much prayer and discernment that we have decided to close our house in Panjim. We are grateful to God who brought Mother Teresa and Assistência Goa together for the purpose of serving His poorest of the poor in Panjim. Since 1976, it has been our privilege in Panjim to serve our brothers and sisters suffering from material want, physical infirmities and spiritual needs,” Sr M Joseph MC, Superior General, Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata, said.
“Now, we are finding it difficult to continue our service because of a sharp decline in vocations. While there are fewer younger sisters, the majority of sisters are growing in age and facing restrictions because of sickness. They are now unable to continue running homes for the elderly and disabled men and women.” Sr Joseph said.
Most of the women who had been residing in the Panjim home will be cared for in the three other houses of the Missionaries of Charity in Goa i.e. in Quepem, Carambolim and Cotto-de-Fatorpa. The sisters in Carambolim, which is not far from Panjim, will continue to reach out to the poor who had been served by the sisters in Panjim. With much gratitude, we are returning the Panjim house to Assistencia Goa, Sr Joseph stated.
Meanwhile, Assistencia Goa president Neville Monteiro told O Heraldo that he will speak to his committee members and appeal to the Missionaries of Charity to stay put. He also clarified that the property housing the Missionaries of Charity home falls under institutional zone and that it will not be put for commercial use.
Reacting to the decision of the Missionaries of Charity to vacate the premises, Monteiro said, “We are shocked to receive a letter from the Missionaries of Charity sisters dated March 22, 2025 stating that they have decided to return the home and the entire premises back to Assistencia, Goa.”
According to Monteiro and other managing committee members, the letter was received when the talks to lease out part of the land on a long lease basis for the activities of the Missionaries of Charity, were nearing finalisation.
Given the poor condition of the building and premises, it was proposed that they jointly reconstruct the same with one Storey building for which an agreement was signed between the Assistencia Goa and the Missionaries of Charity and approved in 2014. The plans were submitted and duly approved by the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA). However, the same did not materialise till date.
The managing committee members disclosed that they wanted to give 60 per cent of the property to the Missionaries of Charity and retain the remaining 40 per cent with them. This was decided to assist the Missionaries of Charity with running the Asylum.
Monteiro said that after the news published by O Heraldo, three NGOs approached them with a request to run the centre.
He denied the allegation made by Director of Caritas Goa Fr Maverick Fernandes that the Assistencia Goa were harassing the Missionaries of Charity. “Fr Maverick is misinformed,” he said.
On the other hand, Fr Fernandes said, “If what the Assistencia Goa members are telling is genuine and truthful then they should go back to the Missionaries of Charity and request them to come back. Panjim needs them.”
NGO Bailancho Saad convenor Dr Sabina Martins said, “It is unfortunate that Missionaries of Charity are vacating when there is dire need of shelter homes in the State and especially in Panjim. I remember the Sisters admitted and took care of a woman who was beaten by her husband besides taking care of other inmates. Missionaries of Charity admitted destitutes and unwed women from all communities and took their good care.”