MO-MA-SE Catholic Women take up social issues

By Fr. Roger Purcell MSC

30 SEPT 2013. With the theme; “Empowering women in the Journey of Faith”, about 1000 women gathered at Vanimo, 22-29 September, 2013 from dioceses of Lae, Madang, Wewak, Aitape and Vanimo (Momase Region). The Bishop of Vanimo presided at the opening Eucharistic celebration on Sunday 22.

Throughout the conference there were speakers on women, law and justice, IHD, moral values in family life, chamber of commerce, HIV/Aids, Natural Family Planning, pastoral theology and anthropology. The core of the conference involved the raising of critical cross-cutting issues and core problems facing women in society today. In these sessions the women spoke strongly and passionately on the situation, not only of women, but that of families and communities in our society today.

There was a great awareness of the social issues they face and the concerns for justice and peace. In this there was also a sense of the need to act to change the situation, but some lack of confidence and certainty of how to go ahead. However, there was also a great sense of the capacity and power they have as women for creative change in family, community and society.

The Momase women look forward to ongoing programmes of help and support for their members, outreach to all women in their dioceses and activities to strengthen faith and life, to raise awareness of critical social issues and strengthen the Association. Such a gathering and organization is a movement of change and renewal in the Church with great energy and enthusiasm worthy of our support and respect. (www.cbcpngsi.org – giorgiolicini@yahoo.com )