Message from the President September-October 2025
Different realities and cultures, but united in mission, transforming lives
WUCWO Regional Conferences in Africa, North America and Asia-Pacific
Dear friends,
In recent months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in WUCWO’s Regional Conferences in Africa, North America and Asia-Pacific. These have been deeply enriching and motivating experiences that have allowed me to get to know our member organisations better – especially their women – to listen to their voices, share their dreams and challenges and, above all, to feel once again the strength of women of faith, united and committed to evangelisation and the integral development of women.
These conferences undoubtedly provide a privileged space for sharing experiences and good practices, creating synergies; for encouraging and supporting one another, fostering solidarity; for praying and celebrating together; for facilitating formation, a deeper mutual knowledge and understanding and living synodality; and, most importantly, for enabling discernment on how to better fulfil our mission and resolutions, so as to respond more effectively to the challenges we face.
Each region and organisation has its own reality, richness and style. Each one has its own charism, possibilities and most pressing needs. Nevertheless, we all share common challenges and the same desire: to be witnesses to the Gospel and to sow hope through our daily lives as women.
Africa Regional Conference – Entebbe (Uganda)
From 28 July to 1 August, the conference in Uganda was the first to take place, bringing together about 250 participants from 17 organisations across 14 countries. From the very beginning, I was able to appreciate the vitality and joy of our African sisters, as well as their great generosity and commitment, nourished by a deeply rooted faith and spirituality. It was a colourful gathering – with beautiful dresses, music, dancing and celebrations that expressed the cultural richness of this continent – but it was also a space for deep reflection, prayer, devotion and concern for the most vulnerable and for the care of our planet. I encountered a continent of courageous and resilient women; a continent where many challenges remain, yet also one full of possibilities, where the Catholic faith is growing and flourishing today.
I must mention the great event organised by our hosts in Namugongo, home to the shrine of the Martyrs of Uganda who, with their blood, sowed the Christian faith in that country. Thousands of women members of the Uganda Catholic Women Apostolate (UCWA), all dressed in yellow, participated with us in an unforgettable Eucharistic Celebration and grand event. We are grateful to the bishops of Uganda and to the many priests who accompanied us from different regions of the country and the continent, actively participating throughout the Conference.
North American Regional Conference – Toronto (Canada)
On 10 August, the North American Regional Conference was held in Toronto, Canada, under the theme: “Building a Future of Hope for Migrants and Refugees” and with 224 participants from the four major organisations and leagues in the region. Here, I was able to witness another facet of WUCWO’s richness. I was impressed by the activity and commitment of our member organisations in different areas of ecclesial, social, and political life. The women of this region feel called to be present and to influence decisions that affect the Church and society, and they do so with remarkable generosity, professionalism, and responsibility.
The closeness and friendliness of the bishops who participated and accompanied us at various moments was particularly meaningful. This encourages us to continue working for a synodal Church, where women and men —laity, religious, priests, and bishops—walk together.
In addition, I had the opportunity to participate in the 105th Annual Convention of our hosts, the Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWLC). So much work is being done across the different regions of this vast country; what an admirable capacity for organisation! What a wealth of experience to share with others and how many fundraising initiatives! I was impressed by the way they take decisions, choose their leaders and present their positions to the highest levels of the government. Finally, I experienced great warmth and an extraordinary capacity for conviviality and fun. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you!
Asia-Pacific Regional Conference – Sydney (Australia)
Finally, from 11 to 14 September, 113 women and 3 men gathered for the Asia-Pacific Conference. It was a meeting marked by simplicity, order and friendship, which made us all feel completely at home. The beautiful venue, where Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, spent her final years and is buried, inspired peace, serenity and a spirit of encounter. This clearly helped create an atmosphere of closeness and community, transcending cultural and geographical differences. It was a true experience of communion and synodality, where each voice was valued and every contribution enriched the others.
During the working days, we heard reports from Fiji, Korea, India, the Philippines, Lebanon, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and Australia. This enabled us to identify both, regional diversity and shared challenges, including domestic violence, homelessness, migration, environmental damage, the shortage of committed young people and the situation of families.
Together we are stronger
We will discuss the topics addressed at each of the conferences in the next issue of Women’s Voice; for now, I would like to highlight a few points. During the three conferences, I witnessed a greater openness to change and dialogue, as well as the presence of younger women in some groups. We certainly need many more young members, but this is undoubtedly a sign of hope and a bright future for WUCWO. We must also recognise and thank all those women who have dedicated much of their lives to their organisations and who, despite their age, remain faithful to their commitment. How wonderful it was to see some remarkable women I had met many years ago, who continue being involved and working for WUCWO! May God bless them!
On the other hand, I was struck by the sensitivity and commitment of our organisations in implementing some of the resolutions and responding creatively to the challenges of their environment. The dedication, commitment, joy, faithfulness and generosity of our leaders-and of our women in general-are truly admirable and make WUCWO a great organisation. We come from very different realities and cultures, yet we share common challenges, the same faith and the same desire to be women who build hope, community and paths of synodality.
These meetings remind us that together we are stronger. By sharing experiences, listening to one another and defining common priorities, we build a network that sustains and expands the life of our organisations. We are a “Global Network of Catholic Women: United in Mission, Transforming Lives.” Each one of us is essential to this network, and I thank God for your generous commitment, for it is you who, through your work and witness, make WUCWO a living organisation full of promise for the future.
I also thank the host organisations in Uganda, Canada and Australia for their wonderful work and warm hospitality. Special thanks to their leaders and to our Vice Presidents for Africa, North America and Asia-Pacific; this would not have been possible without you!
I send you my warmest regards and hope to see many of you at the regional conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe.
Mónica Santamarina
WUCWO President General