The voice of mature women needs to be heard and the experience behind it valued, Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs told the Wellington branch of the Catholic Women’s League recently.
This was in praise of the league’s persistence in speaking up for social justice issues.
The league held its annual conference in Parliament Buildings on 18 March under the theme ‘Church, Culture, Identity’ which will inspire their work over the next two years.
Archbishop John Dew drew on the encyclicals of last three popes in his keynote address which linked the individual’s search for fundamental identity, outlined by Pope Benedict in his Ash Wednesday address, to an appreciation of the dignity of our fellow human beings, beloved by the late Pope John Paul.
Archbishop John told members that by promoting the welfare of all humankind we are actively loving God and proclaiming the culture and identity of the Church.
There should be no more ‘us’ and ‘them’ but recognition of one human family.
He remarked on the strengthening of interfaith sympathy and solidarity as a positive outcome from the recent offensive material published by sections of the media.
The theme will give the league opportunities to further the work of the Church by looking outward and cherishing the wider community.
The three remits passed did just that as they sought total funding of nursing care for the hospice movement, a reissue of the Health Department booklet Considering an Abortion – What are your options and a change of emphasis in policies to lower carbon emissions and ease congestion by providing more urban public transport.
Kath Sheehan and Catherine Hewson were made archdiocesan life members in acknowledgement of their years of service as treasurer and secretary at all levels.
The national president Geraldine Scott urged local members to attend the national conference [Brentwood Hotel, 20-23 July] which happens in Wellington only every 12 years.