2007 Annual Report – International Relations
2007 Annual Report of
National Chairperson of International Relations
Lorette Noble
The League’s close connection with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) continued as would be evident at the League’s annual national convention in Winnipeg in 2008. Under the enthusiastic leadership of the North American Regional Vice-President Agnes Bedard , national past president, it was decided to hold the WUCWO regional conference in conjunction with the League’s national convention. This would give League members and WUCWO members of the North American Region a chance to get to know each other and witness the work each organization strives to do. It should be an enriching experience for all.
A newsletter was initiated which periodically would be sent to League members to keep them in touch with WUCWO activities. At the annual national convention, each parish council representative was invited to pick a country in the world and encourage her council members to learn more about life and conditions, especially as they affect women, in the chosen country. This led to a deeper global awareness on the part of League members and also some interesting projects connecting councils in Canada with Catholic women’s groups abroad.
Links were maintained with The Catholic Women’s League of England and Wales and a DVD was received with a PowerPoint presentation of the story of its foundress, Margaret Fletcher, a copy of which would be distributed to each provincial council. There are many similarities between the two national councils and the English council was the inspiration for the formation of the League in Canada.
The League’s concern with international affairs was heightened when a formal request was received from the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to support its resolution passed in November 2007: The Permanent Council calls on the Government of Canada to reconsider its present stance and to return to the earlier policy of strenuously intervening with other governments when Canadians face a sentence of execution in countries which still have the death penalty. Coincidentally it was a topic which the League delegation in its annual visit to the federal government had already addressed, and a letter was sent in support of the CCCB’s resolution.
The growing awareness of life in other countries makes members realize how fortunate they are to live in a country with a deep-rooted respect for freedom and democratic traditions. The League prayer encourages members to share with others at home and abroad the good things You have given us? and are moving from prayer to action.