THE World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), has recently been granted public status by the Vatican in conformity with the canonical norms in force and according to canons 298-320 and 327-329 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Pontifical Council of the Laity (PCL) confirmed in a statement the erection of WUCWO as a public international association of the faithful.
PCL President Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, PCL secretary Bishop Josef Clemens, and staff members, gathered with the members of the WUCWO leadership in the Aula Magna to celebrate the historic occasion. Archbishop Rylko noted that WUCWO is one of the first associations to receive this public status.
Dr. Maria Rocio Figueroa, head of the Pontifical Council’s Women’s Section, read the act of Consignment to WUCWO President-General, Karen M. Hurley. Hurley was accompanied by WUCWO’s Ecclesiastical Assistant, Father GianMaria Polidoro, OFM; former WUCWO President-General, Maria Eugenia Diaz de Pfennich; Secretary-General, Gillian M. Badcock; and Vice President of the European Region, Maria Giovanna Ruggieri.
Acknowledging the public rank given to WUCWO, Hurley said, “…This status honors the tireless efforts of millions of faithful Catholic women active in our Union at the parish, diocesan, national and international levels. We appreciate the decision of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and, with the grace of God, will work diligently to fulfill the responsibilities which accompany this status. We pledge to you our fidelity to the Church and our faithful Catholic witness to the world, which is rooted in spiritual formation, evangelization and the Social Doctrine of the Church…”
WUCWO has been active in the promotion of women and their role in the Church and society. Its various advocacies include education, poverty alleviation, peace building and eradication of violence against women.
Through its accredited organizations, WUCWO “promotes the presence, participation and co-responsibility of the Catholic women in the Church and society in order to enable them to fulfill their mission of evangelization and to work for human development.”
In its 2006 General Assembly, WUCWO pledged to work for building a culture of peace with special attention to education and the alleviation of poverty as its priority for 2006-2010.
Founded in 1910, WUCWO has a membership of almost 100 organizations, active in 66 countries, representing millions of Catholic women from all walks of life.
The Catholic Women’s League of the Philippines is an accredited member of WUCWO.
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