Institutional strengthening as a tool to contribute to the comprehensive care of migrant women in Mexico

As part of the activities around the project "Migrant women´s access to justice in Mexico", which is being carried out with the support of the Hilton Foundation, the World Women's Observatory (WWO) of the World Union of Catholic Women´s Organisations (WUCWO), along with the collaboration of Corporativa de Fundaciones and FORTA, launched an institutional strengthening accompaniment model for 16 organisations that work in various regions of Mexico providing direct assistance to migrant women and women in need of international protection.

Let us be drawn to hope! 

Dear WUCWO friends, 

there is no doubt that time flies and, almost without realising it, the year is almost over. A year undoubtedly with many challenges, but also with great achievements for which we must give thanks to the Lord. As Church, the final document of the Synodal Assembly, which gathers the fruit of 3 years of work, is, as Pope Francis says, a gift for all the People of God and for the world. The Jubilee year, which is about to begin, is undoubtedly another great gift for the Church.

From left to right: Doris Schmidauer, Lucia Greiner, Sr. Nathalie Becquart and Angelika Ritter-Grepl (Photo: ÖPK)

‘Synodality in the Catholic Church has only just begun, we must do our utmost to implement the resolutions of the World Synod,’ emphasises Angelika Ritter-Grepl, Chairwoman of the Catholic Women's Movement Austria (KFBÖ), following a conversation with Sr Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the Vatican General Secretariat of the World Synod of Bishops. ‘The Synod Secretariat is entrusted with the accompaniment of the reception phase in the local churches called to implement synodality in dioceses as in a note published by Pope Francis stated.’ The conversation between Sr Becquart with Ritter-Grepl and Lucia Greiner, the head of the pastoral office of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, took place at the invitation of Austria's “First Lady” Doris Schmidauer in the presidential chancellery in Vienna.

As Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva declared: “The family, after all, is, in many ways, the first school of how to be human and at the same time the family is the centre, and the heart of what Paul VI called ‘the civilization of love’”. During the last General Assembly in Assisi, we committed ourselves, as WUCWO women, to "take, with renewed conviction, the joyful journey of family love, motherhood and fatherhood". We recognise that the family is where essential values such as brotherly love, generosity and service to others are learned, and we certainly all agree that the fundamental role of the family for a peaceful civilisation is increasingly being challenged.

Pastoral reflection for Advent

"Blessed the one whose hope is in the LORD, his God," (Psalm 146:5).

We spend a large part of our lives slumbering, without real awareness of what is going on around us and even within us. We live distracted, unable to make sense of what is happening to us, sometimes out of laziness, sometimes out of fear of opening our eyes and facing possible disappointments. This state is aggravated in a context where complaints, anxieties and impatience seem to drown out any good news, and where every day information increases our insecurity and weakens the hope for a more fraternal humanity. It is true that needs, both our own and those of others, press upon us. Without time, we become impatient with what is delaying.

There is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church: what comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped.

(Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops - No. 60)

Dear Friends of WUCWO,

we have been following together the synodal process that began more than 3 years ago. I know that for some the process has been long and tiring, but for many others it has been a great gift. I stand with Pope Francis in the sense that the Final Document which concluded the second phase of the Synodal Assembly in October is a great gift to the Holy Father himself, to the People of God and to the whole world. It brings together the fruit of years of listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another in order to better understand how to be a ‘synodal Church’ today. It is the beginning of a real transformation in the life of the Church!

Read all the conclusions of the October 2024 Assembly and help to build our Synodal Church in mission at the grassroots level.

https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/news/2024-10-26_final-document/ENG---Documento-finale.pdf 

In response to Pope Francis' urgent call to action in the Laudato Si encyclical, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO) has launched a new campaign called "WUCWO Planting Hope”. This initiative stems from the commitment made at the last General Assembly, held in Assisi, where it was agreed upon the need to act in the face of the climate and environmental crisis affecting our Common Home.

WAWATA with the General Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, gender, women and special groups, Dr Shekilage, and his Deputy, Felister Mdemu

The Association of  Catholic Women in Tanzania (WAWATA) visited the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania in Dodoma the Capital on November 4 this year on invitation of the Minister of Social Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Hon. Dr. Dorothy Gwajima. After observing the parliamentary session and being introduced in the parliament by the Chairman of the Parliament, Dr. Joseph Kizito Mhagama, WAWATA held a meeting with the Ministry of Social Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups led by the Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Seif Shekalaghe.

WUCWO's General President, Monica Santamarina, on behalf of all the women who are part of WUCWO, participated in the symposium on conflict-related sexual violence, organised by the UK Embassy to the Holy See and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) at the Jesuit Curia in Rome. At the event, Monica signed along with more than 450 faith leaders the Declaration of Humanity by Leaders of Faith and Belief, a manifesto to reaffirm the commitment of religious communities to fight sexual violence in conflict contexts.

On 26 and 27 October, Mónica Santamarina, President General, and Lavinia Rocchi Carrera, Secretary General, paid an official visit to WUCWO member organisations in the United Kingdom. During these days, Mónica had the opportunity to talk with some of the representatives of the member organisations, in order to learn first-hand about their challenges, achievements and local realities. This meeting served to strengthen ties, dialogue and explore ways in which WUCWO can support its members in the UK.

"Womanhood - the greatest treasure" 

WUCWO's Asia-Pacific regional conference will take place from the 12th to the 14th of September, 2025.

The meeting venue is Mary Mackillop Place - 80 William St, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia.

For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - www.cwla.com.au