Home » Projects » EXISTENCE AID » India: Support for the life and ministry of 63 Religious sisters in Rourkela

India: Support for the life and ministry of 63 Religious sisters in Rourkela

In the diocese of Rourkela, in the north of the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) there are 63 sisters of the congregation of the Daughters of the Cross. Normally, most of them work in the schools or parishes of the diocese. However, during the coronavirus pandemic they are now all occupied in helping those who are suffering most from the situation. They care for the sick, the elderly and handicapped and in particular they are supporting the migrant labourers, who have suddenly found themselves with no work and nothing to live on. Meanwhile, India is now in fourth highest place in the world in terms of the number of Covid-19 infections. And at the same time many millions of the poorest people, above all the migrant workers and day labourers, have lost their sole source of income.

The sisters are doing all they can to help. They write, „We cannot save the whole world, but at least we can help those people here among whom we live and work.“ Some of the sisters are sowing hundreds of metres of material into protective face masks, which they are then handing out to the needy. But the material is not cheap, and they also need disinfectants and gloves in order to prevent the spread of the virus as far as possible.

But since the schools are also closed on account of the pandemic, those sisters who were working as teachers have received no pay for months now. And yet their salaries are the principal source of income for their congregation. ACN is proposing to help with 10,000 Euros.

Don't miss the latest updates!

Bishop Silvano Pedroso: A humble shepherd who was close to the people

ACN mourns the death of Cuba’s first bishop of African…

From forgiveness to uncertainty: the story of a priest in southern Lebanon

Fr Youssef Semaan watches on as the conflict in Lebanon…

Statement By The President Of Aid to The Church In Need (ACN)

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received with…

Pope and African bishops decry murder of Mozambican prelate

Bishop Osório Citora Afonso was a friend and collaborator of…

MOZAMBIQUE: Bishop of Quelimane shot dead at residence

The Bishop Osório Cítora Afonso, of Quelimane, Mozambique, was shot…

Nigeria: one year after Yelewata massacre, Church continues to demand justice for the victims

During a memorial mass held on the first anniversary of the tragedy, Bishop Anagbe remembered the victims and renewed his call for the displaced to be able to return to...

Bishop Silvano Pedroso: A humble shepherd who was close to the people

ACN mourns the death of Cuba’s first bishop of African descent. Pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deepest regret over the death of Bishop Silvano...

Nigeria: Terrorists burned Adama Dutse to the ground. Faith, persistence and help from ACN rebuilt it

The reconstruction of a remote village in Nigeria is a sign that hope can triumph over despair, and violence will not have the final word. On 27 May 2026, the...