Martyred nuns of Aden: 10 years later, still seeds of peace

On the anniversary of the barbaric killing of the four Missionaries of Charity on 4 March 2016, Bishop Martinelli presided over a Mass in Abu Dhabi. ‘At a time when the entire Gulf region is experiencing serious conflicts, their memory is a source of hope.’ Mother Teresa's sisters continue to serve the poor in Sana'a and Hodeidah, in the part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis, which is once again at risk of ending up on the front line of the conflict.

Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Just as the entire Gulf area is experiencing new dramatic hours due to the war, today marks the 10th anniversary of the killing of four Missionaries of Charity nuns - Sister Marguerite (44), Sister Reginette (31), Sister Judith (41) and Sister Anselm (59) – killed in Aden on 4 March 2016 while continuing to serve the elderly in conflict-torn Yemen.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia commemorates the martyrdom of Mother Teresa's sisters today with a Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, presided over by Vicar Monsignor Paolo Martinelli.

‘Celebrating this anniversary at a time when the entire Gulf region is experiencing serious conflicts,’ the prelate wrote in a note, "is a source of hope. The Missionaries of Charity sisters gave their lives, and some of them are still present today in Yemen, serving the poorest without distinction, bearing witness to the charity of Christ that overcomes every barrier. Looking at them, we feel encouraged to be builders of peace in this land."

The bishop invited all the faithful of the Vicariate to join in prayer, asking God to grant His peace to the entire region through their intercession. ‘The witness of the Missionaries of Charity killed in Aden continues to nourish the life of our Church and spurs us on to live our faith every day with joy and commitment. As Bishop Paul Hinder wrote shortly after the events of 2016: “We implore the four martyrs to intercede for Yemen and for the whole Middle East, that peace may come and violence may cease”.’

The Missionaries of Charity have been present in Yemen since 1973, when Mother Teresa herself accepted the invitation from the then government of North Yemen. The Home for the Elderly in Aden, in the south of the country, was then opened on 25 March 1992.

The sisters accepted this mission to ‘give God's love to the poor through our works of love and compassion’. Due to the ongoing conflict in Aden, where the four nuns killed ten years ago were buried, it has not been possible to reopen their presence there. However, the Missionaries of Charity have never ceased to carry out their ministry in the north, in the cities of Hodeidah and Sana'a.

Monsignor Martinelli spoke about their current presence a few weeks ago with Vatican News: ‘In their two houses,’ he explained, "they welcome the poorest of the poor: over a hundred people in each house, mainly the sick and elderly. They truly perform miracles of charity with the few resources available to them. With them is a priest, the only one present in Yemen, belonging to the male branch of the Missionaries of Charity. I am in very frequent contact with him, sometimes daily.

He keeps me updated on the life of Christians, the situation of the nuns, and the conditions of the sick they assist. Whenever possible, we also keep in touch with the nuns via videoconferencing, despite the difficulties in connecting.

Obviously, it is not possible to carry out any proselytising activities. However, a small group of faithful meet regularly to pray and attend Mass, celebrated in the chapels of the two communities. It is a small group, but very united: they really love each other. The presence of the nuns and the priest is an immense gift for the few Christians who remain.

It is worth remembering that Sana'a and Hodeidah are located in the part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis, the pro-Iranian militias. These two other communities of the Missionaries of Charity are therefore also an extremely delicate presence at a time when war threatens to precipitate many situations throughout the Middle East and the Gulf. This is further testimony to how precious the seed of peace sown by the silent and hidden service of Mother Teresa's sisters is.