By Felix Anthony
Aizawl, March 4, 2022: Two Missionaries of Charity nuns from the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram have decided to stay on in the war-torn Ukraine to serve the people amid full-scale invasion by Russia.
Sisters Rosela Nuthangi and Ann Frida said they were ready to risk their lives to serve people fleeing the war and the injured.
On March 2, Sister Mary Prema, their superior general in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, has established contact with them and asked them to move to safer place by road. However the two preferred to remain where they are to help the people in whichever way is possible. The sisters have informed their relatives of their safety despite the challenging times.
Sister Nuthangi, daughter of (late) David Laiawrha and (late) Monica Lalbuangi, hails from Sihphir village. She is the second Teresa sister among the Mizo Catholics. She made her first profession in 1984 and was sent to the then Soviet Union as a missionary. She worked in Moscow’s St. Petersburg for 10 years. Having mastered Russian language, she has also worked in Latvia, Astonovia and in 2017 moved to Ukraine.
Sister Frida is daughter of (late) Joseph Rothangpuia and Elizabeth Lalremi. She is from Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl. She made her first profession in 1998. After working in India for a few years, she was sent to Kiev, the Ukrainian capital where she has been serving for the past 10 years.
Appreciating the sisters for their heroic courage, Archbishop John Moolachira, the president of the North East Regional Bishops’ Council, said he was not surprised that the two members of the Missionaries of Charity working in the war-ravaged Ukraine are not leaving the country despite the great danger to their lives.
The Indian government has also urged its citizens in Ukraine to evacuate. “I am proud of them,” the prelate added.
Adding what the two nuns have done is a small example of what the Church really stands for, Archbishop Moolachira said, “Every consecrated person cares more for the lives and comfort of their fellow men and women than that of their own. They would consider it cowardice and unbecoming of their noble call to flee when the people under their care need their help, prayers and support the most.”
Salesian Father Robert Faustine from Mizoram said that the two nuns’ anxious relatives are in constant touch with them for the past few days. “We hope for the safety of these two heroic nuns and let us also pray that peace and normalcy return in Ukraine, Russia and rest of the world.” He added.