Ambassador to the Holy See, H.E. Ms. Sally Axworthy reflects on the work of Sister Imelda Poole, IBVM, President of RENATE Europe, in celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2017.
Sister Imelda Poole heads a network of European religious fighting trafficking and exploitation (RENATE). As such, she is a key ally for the UK’s Prime Minister’s goal of eradicating modern slavery.
When she was 13, Imelda spent a week praying that she would never become a nun. But a few years later, she met the sisters from the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) and was impressed by their wholesome lives. She, as she puts it, fell in love with Christ, and joined the IBVM.
The IBVM is one of the two orders whose founder is Mary Ward (see Monday’s profile of Jane Livesey). Like the Congregation of Jesus, the IBVM follow the spirituality of Saint Ignatius Loyola, including his Spiritual Exercises which help the individual discern his or her calling in the world.
Full feature is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/fighting-modern-slavery
Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
Holy See: Fighting Modern Slavery.