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ruma sisters return to liberia for three weeks to reconnect, remember

Story by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

It’s time to return, to reconnect. That’s what three Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) will do as they were scheduled to board a plane June 10 to fly to Monrovia, Liberia. The sisters will stay for three weeks.

Each of the three — Sisters Raphael Ann Drone, Elizabeth Kolmer and Mary Evelyn Nagle — has roots in Liberia as do all ASCs.

Five Adorers were killed in Liberia in October of 1992 during the West African nation’s civil war. They were: Sisters Shirley Kolmer, sister of Elizabeth; and Mary Joel Kolmer, Elizabeth’s cousin ; Kathleen McGuire, cousin to Raphael Ann; Barbara Ann Muttra; and Agnes Mueller.

ASC regional leader in the United States, Sister Jan Renz, said: “During our many years of ministry in Liberia, the Adorers grew to know and love the people and their culture.

“This did not end with the deaths of our sisters in 1992. In fact, the blood that our sisters shed only serves to strengthen our relationship and connectedness with the people of Liberia.

“We are grateful that the circumstances now allow for a visit,” Sister Renz said.

The ASCs opened their first mission in Liberia in 1971, and in 1973, Sister Mary Evelyn Nagle was among a group of ASCs who opened a second mission in the country.

The sisters ministered in health care, education and parish work.

Sister Nagle stayed for 15 years, returning to the United States in 1988, and this will be her first opportunity to return.
“It was not dangerous when we first went,” Sister Nagle said, but “the first coup occurred in 1980. It was a bit dangerous, but we got used to it.”

In 1990, the sisters returned to the United States interrupting their work for the first time since they had arrived. The situation in Liberia had become too unstable and violence was escalating.

However, in 1991, the sisters returned and were killed in late 1992.

Sister Drone also ministered in Liberia for 17 years before returning to the United States.
Like the others, Sister Drone is excited about returning to Liberia.

“We’re interested to see if there is some other way we can serve them,” she said.
The ASCs invited a Liberian Bernardine sister, Mary Laurene Browne, OSF to speak last year at a 15th anniversary of the five sisters’ deaths.

The ASCs were, and continue to be, “interested in the people,” Sister Drone said.
Not only that, but the sisters want to reconnect with their Liberian ASC Associates and visit the places where the sisters were killed.

Sister Kolmer said she has been “really thinking about my sister and my cousin” as well as “the state of the country and how the people are faring, what kind of chances they have had to rebuild.”

Also on the sisters’ minds is a tentatively scheduled meeting between Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who knew Sister Shirley Kolmer.

Their paths crossed at the University of Liberia in Monrovia when Sister Shirley Kolmer was teaching in the university mathematics department on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Sister Elizabeth Kolmer wants to visit the places where the sisters worked and where they were killed, she said.
“People say the sisters should come back,” Sister Nagle said.

Mrs. Pauline McGuire, mother of Kathleen, said she has given her blessing to the sisters who will be returning to Liberia. Sister Drone is her niece.

“Knowing those girls, I think it will be all right,” Mrs. McGuire said. “They’re kind of nervy. There aren’t too many things they’re afraid of.”

This chance to reconnect is important for both the Liberians and the ASCs. It is important to us that the Liberian people know that we still treasure our relationship with them and that we continue to pray for them as they work to revitalize their nation,” Sister Renz said.

To read the story of the five sisters killed in Liberia and called “martyrs of charity” by the late Pope John Paul II, please go to their web site: www.adorers.org.