DCCW members attend international conference

Intermountain Catholic

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Patricia Musich (front left), Bobbie Hunt, Isabelle Harris, Kathy Jones (back left), Ann Boyer, Karen Hurley, WUCWO president-general, Lydia Farnell, and Carolyn Wold enjoy interacting with women from all over the world at the WUCWO Assembly in May in Arlington, Va.IC photo courtesy of Patricia Musich

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than 700 women representing 44 countries attended the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO) Assembly May 31 to June 7, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va. The theme was "Women Peacemakers: United in Faith and Action."

The Assembly was hosted by the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW), headquartered in Arlington. This was the first time the Assembly has been held in the United States.

Attending the Assembly from the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) in Salt Lake City were: Bobbie Hunt, NCCW Region 2 vice-president; Kathy Jones, NCCW Nominating Committee member; Lydia Farnell, DCCW president; Patricia Musich, DCCW immediate past president; Ann Boyer, NCCW liturgical advisor; Carolyn Wold, DCCW past president; and Isabelle Harris, member of St. Francis Xavier Parish Women's Council.

Every five years, Catholic women from all over the world representing their national Catholic women's organizations convene to study social justice issues and to develop means for promoting the presence, participation, and co-responsibility of Catholic Women in society and Church.

According to WUCWO history, it was in 1910 that Madame de Vélard, president of the Patriotic League of French Women (later Action Catholique Générale Féminine, ACGF) suggested uniting the leagues of Catholic women throughout the world. In her address, de Vélard outlined the aims of this meeting from which the International Union of Catholic Women's Leagues (UILFC) began, and which became WUCWO in 1952.

"We have met because we want to enlarge our horizons? study the obstacles and the ways to overcome them, and to arm ourselves better for Catholic action," said de Vélard.

Karen Hurley of Harrisburg, Pa., a member of the NCCW board of directors and outgoing WUCWO vice president-general for North America, was elected WUCWO president-general during the Assembly.

"During this Assembly we have sown seeds of great vision," said Hurley. "WUCWO's vision is far-reaching and goes beyond what one individual, organization, or region can accomplish. Our vision must attract, challenge, and unite Catholic women worldwide. WUCWO's canonical establishment as a Public Association of the Faithful declares the full confidence of the Pontifical Council for the laity in WUCWO's mission.

"Most of all the council recognizes the faithful dedication of women at the grass roots level of our affiliated organizations," said Hurley. "Future board meetings in Rome will provide opportunities to enhance WUCWO's collaboration and dialogue with the Vatican – a gift to women and Church. Our mandate is to be peacemakers, and to sow seeds of love throughout the world."

The 2006 Assembly featured speakers from around the world including Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Europe.

In the opening Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States said in his homily, "The NCCW has done so much to help you experience what it means to be a woman and to be Catholic. To each of you, I bring greetings, encouragement, and the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI.

"We ask ourselves what the Lord expects of us," said Archbishop Sambi. "It seems to me that the great challenge of our time is secularization, a way of living and presenting the world as if God does not exist. We must make God present in our society. If we recognize there is a God, then our freedom is a freedom shared with others and there must consequently be a common parameter for building a common reality."

Archbishop Sambi said every human being is called to be a builder of peace. Peace has four pillars: truth, justice, freedom, and love. This is what Pope John XXIII taught in his encyclical letter "Peace on Earth."

"The theme of your Assembly is of great importance – women, the first victims of every conflict and war, must be the first to be peace-makers," said Archbishop Sambi. "You know where there is conflict, war, division, and hatred, God is not to be found. God is present where there is charity and love."

Maryann Cusimano-Love, from the Center for International Social Development, spoke to the participants about justice and peace in the global context. She is also associate professor of international politics at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

"Although international conflict has declined since the end of the Cold War, conflict is still very much alive and has an impact especially on the most vulnerable – women, children, and the poor," Cusimano-Love said. "Building peace is about much more than combating armies and signing peace accords. For there to be peace in the world, there must be justice. It is up to the Catholic Church to work for justice and set an example for the rest of the world."

The DCCW group from Salt Lake City who attended the Assembly gave a report at the DCCW board meeting June 10, at St. Rose of Lima Church. The group reported it was amazing to meet and interact with women from all over the world, and to share stories and experiences with them.

"We found that no matter where you live in the world, we are common in our faith and in the issues with which we deal," said Musich. "Father Gian Maria Polidoro, the ecclesiastical assistant to WUCWO, spoke about conflict resolution. He said we have a responsibility to be peace makers and to aid and accompany the poor. We must start in our families and teach our children they are loved, to have a good self-esteem, and to know God loves them."

"The DCCW will continue to speak out for those who have no voice and respect the rights and dignity of women, children, and people everywhere in the world," said Farnell.