– The Father of Lepers
Wellesley Bailey was a young Irish man who came to India in 1869, looking for a job and a new beginning. During his training as a teacher, he saw for the first time how terrible leprosy could be. Until then, he had only read about leprosy and “lepers” in Bible stories. Seeing the suffering, poor living conditions, and loneliness of people with leprosy deeply touched his heart.
Biography:
- Birth: 28 April 1846
- Death: 1937
- Country: Ireland
- Place of Vision: India and many other nations
Bailey once wrote, “If there was ever a Christ-like work in the world, it was to go among these poor sufferers and bring them the comfort of the gospel.”
At that time, there was no cure for leprosy. So, Wellesley and his wife, Alice, went back to Ireland to tell people about the painful lives of those suffering in India. They raised awareness and encouraged others to pray and give financial support.
In 1874, with the help of supporters, they started “The Mission to Lepers”, now known as The Leprosy Mission, to help those affected by the disease in India. By the end of the 1870s, their mission cared for about 100 people suffering from leprosy. Bailey also helped other missionaries by guiding them in administration and financial work.
As his ministry grew, letters came from other parts of the world—places like China, New Zealand, and Australia—asking for help. His compassion and service inspired many, and the mission spread globally, bringing healing, dignity, and love to leprosy-affected people.
Wellesley Bailey strongly believed in the power of prayer. He said that prayer was the foundation of his mission and the reason for its success. His lifelong dream was to care for those suffering from leprosy. Because of his love, dedication, and faith, he is lovingly remembered as “The Father of Lepers.”