From October 5th-10th, 2022, Marusia Kobrynsky, the Canadian representative on the Board of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, was in Rafina, Greece to attend a board meeting followed by a meeting with Catholic women from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The theme of the meeting was “Women, Builders of Peace in a Church which Goes Forth”. Over 120 women from 33 countries attended this event.
Women from Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Albania, and Lebanon shared their life stories, identified the obstacles that they have faced as Christians living in an unwelcoming or even hostile environment, and related how, through their faith and joint efforts with other women, they garnered the strength to keep providing service and accompaniment to those who most need their support, particularly migrants escaping political or religious persecution. Through their service, these women truly bring the words of the gospel to life.
This meeting provided an opportunity for Catholic women from many corners of the world to share their experiences, to learn from the experiences of others, to develop new friendships, and to build a worldwide church community.
The next international gathering of Catholic women will be at the General Assembly in Assisi, Italy in May, 2023, preceded by a special audience with Pope Francis in Rome on May 13th, 2023. All members and their spouses are invited to attend the papal audience. Registration in advance will be required since attendance is limited. More information about the process of registration for the papal audience will be provided as soon as it is available.
Photo credit: Don MacKinnon.
Submitted by Marusia Kobrynsky.