Mary Glowrey was born in Australia and studied medicine at the University of Melbourne. In
1920, she dedicated her life to caring for vulnerable women and children in India.
In the early 1900s, many people in India were dying of infectious diseases. Care for pregnant women was also poor and many died during childbirth.
FR. MATHEW ABRAHAM
Director, Catholic Health Association of India
The health system in India was very poor. There was no government health system so it was mostly some Christian missionaries, both protestants and Catholics that did some kind of healthcare. Maternal mortality was too high. Infant mortality was too high. Life expectancy was very low. Maybe, I dont know, 40 or 50 years.
While in India, Mary Glowrey wanted to consecrate herself to the religious order of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. But at that time, canon law did not allow nuns to practice medicine.
FR. MATHEW ABRAHAM
Director, Catholic Health Association of India
Religious were not allowed to practice medicine. But since Mary Glowrey was already a doctor, Pope Benedict XV gave her special permission to practice.
Mary Glowrey specialized in obstetrics and gynecology to care for women in India. She also joined with other Catholic institutions to found a health care network. The Catholic Health Association of India now has more than 3,000 institutions across the country.
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TR: AT
