An exciting opportunity for the Religious Sisters of Charity to engage in collaborative, prophetic action for justice, is taking shape since they have become members of UNANIMA International. This initiative is an opportunity for the congregation to work closely with their Sister Congregation in Australia as well as with the sixteen other congregations who are members of UNANIMA.
UNANIMA- International is a coalition of congregations of women religious, with members on all continents, committed to work for peace and human dignity in response to the needs of our world by service to its members, to the United Nations, to other NGOs through collaboration, education and action in affiliation with the UN regarding:
• Women and children, particularly the economically poor;
• Immigrants and refugees;
• The welfare of the planet
Sr. Mairéad Ní Chuirc attended the Board Meeting of UNANIMA in September, on behalf of the General Leadership Team and the Australian Sisters of Charity when the congregations applied for joint membership of the organisation. The board members were interested in hearing about the charism of the congregations, and about some of the initiatives and activities in which they are engaged. Both of the congregations have been seeking ways to work collaboratively with others for justice and each is already involved in different ways in the three areas chosen by Unanima for action. The Board of UNANIMA was happy to accept the application for membership and now both congregations are looking forward to working together with them in the future.
Sr. Pat Kenny will represent the congregations as the Board Member for 3 years and she will be followed by Sr. Suzette Clarke of the Sisters of Charity of Australia for a second term of 3 years. Sisters Pat and Suzette will liaise closely together and with a delegated person in each province and region in order to enable maximum involvement in the activities of the coalition.
Presently UNANIMA are running Phase 2 of STOP THE DEMAND CAMPAIGN – a campaign aimed at reducing the numbers of women and children being trafficked by focusing on education to stop the demand for the purchase of women and children. The link in the left-hand panel will bring you to the UNANIMA website where you can see more information on their campaigns and activities.
