Sister Joseph is the new Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.
Sister Joseph, who was elected on Saturday, replaces Sister Prema, who helmed the organisation founded by Mother Teresa for 13 years.
“The decision was taken on Saturday night and Sister Joseph is the new Superior General,” said Sunita Kumar, spokesperson for the Missionaries of Charity.
Sister Joseph’s councillors are Sister Christie, assistant general; Sister Cecile, second councillor; Sister Marie Juan, third councillor; and Sister Patrick, fourth councillor, Kumar said on Sunday evening.
“Sister Joseph was the Regional Superior of the Missionaries of Charity in Kerala,” said Kumar. She has also worked in Kolkata before.
Sister Joseph is the third head of the organisation since the death of Mother Teresa in 1997.
After Mother Teresa, Sister Nirmala became the Superior General, who was succeeded by Sister Prema in 2009.
Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity from across the world came together at a home of the organisation on Jessore Road for the “General Chapter,” a close associate of the order said.
The General Chapter culminates in the election, which is preceded by retreat, meditation and prayer, the associate said.
Kumar said nuns “from all over” have been staying in the home since the beginning of last month. “They have been here (Jessore Road home) for about a month now,” said Kumar.
It’s a home for children with disabilities who have been abandoned.