Maura Lynch: fistula fighter and nun

When Maura Lynch entered the order of the Medical Missionaries of Mary two days before her 18th birthday, she was hoping to spend her life serving poor populations in Africa. By the time of her death at the age of 79 in Kampala, Uganda, the surgeon-nun had spent 50 years on the continent, and the past three decades setting up and running an obstetric fistula clinic in Kitovu Hospital, Masaka. She rejoiced in restoring to health women who were often shunned by their families because of incontinence, and she was particularly fond of quoting the case of an 85 year old woman who underwent successful surgery after 40 years with incontinence. “Afterwards we danced,” said Lynch. “As a ministry, I think it beats all. It’s so worth while.”

Between 1993 and 2007 Lynch did more than 1000 repair operations. She was honoured by the Ugandan government, and on a state visit to Dublin in 2003 president Yoweri Museveni requested her presence at a reception to thank her for her contribution to medical services in Uganda.

The 28 bed unit and dedicated operating …