UISG Seminar on Women Religious on the Frontlines, combatting Human Trafficking and Promoting Reconciliation.

 
Co-hosted by the Union of Superiors General, the US Embassy to the Holy See and Solidarity with South Sudan, at the heart of the seminar were Religious sisters sharing stories from the frontline.
Delegates attending heard of the work of sisters ministering in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, aiming to build peace and empower other women at grassroots level in some of the most deprived and violent countries and socio-economic contexts.
The importance of education and awareness-raising, collaboration with both government and civil society was emphasised by sisters who spoke of their work to combat human trafficking, prostitution and the cyber porn industry.
Other sisters shared personal stories about accompaniment of victims of conflict and violence, where sometimes even the sisters themselves fell victim to such violence.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, paid tribute to the sisters’ courageous and selfless work as shared at the seminar, stating: ‘’For me, these are all examples of Religious women living …and working on the front lines, living out their faith, having to draw on all the resources of their faith and of the spirituality of their individual congregations and giving enormous witness to the Church and to Christ.’’  
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.