KENYA: Vatican Sends Blessings to Catholic Sisters Convening in Africa
A section of participants during Catholic Sisters convening in Nairobi
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Vatican through the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has sent blessings to Consecrated women during their global convening in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
In a message shared with over 150 participants from various countries across the globe including the Philippines, India, Italy, Malawi, DRC Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, United States of America, United Kingdom, Senegal, Vietnam, Germany, Ireland, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Kenya, Cardinal João Bráz de Aviz the Prefect for the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life appreciated the convener for the conference Conrad Hilton Foundation for their special collaboration with the Dicastery.
“I offer my blessings and fraternal greetings in Christ to the members of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and participants in the Catholic Sisters 2022 Convening in Africa,” reads part of the message that was read on behalf of the Dicastery by Sr. Jane Wakahiu the Associate Vice President of Operations and head of the Catholic Sisters initiative for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
The Dicastery appreciated the partnership and support from the Hilton Foundation as a source of blessing to the Religious women.
“I thank you for partnering with the Catholic Sisters as they strive to live their Charism and apostolic service within the context of these challenging times,” The prefect of the Dicastery noted adding that the financial support they received from the Hilton foundation for the Sisters programs will be a source of blessing.
Additionally, His Eminence João Cardinal Bráz de Aviz noted that the collaboration and funding from the Hilton Foundation will assist the Dicastery in providing resources and education on consecrated life to Religious Congregations and individual members.
“We also see the need to train leadership as they assume responsibilities in various international and national associations and positions of governance within their congregations,” reads the excerpt of the message on the first day of the conference that took place from 26-28, October.
Cardinal Bráz de Aviz added that the “project will provide projects and encounters where members will be formed and acquire tools enabling them to transmit their knowledge and effect positive change and growth within their institutes, collaborating with other institutes and those served in their apostolates.”
In her welcoming remarks to participants, Sr. Wakahiu highlighted the goals of the convening which was the first in over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic.
One goal is to “reflect collectively on the magnitude of the changes and what we have learnt. We wish to continue discussing our approach to equality, inclusion and how to intentionally weave these principals into the fabric of all programs,” Sr. Wakahiu a member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSOSF) expressed in her welcoming message and continued, “We also aim to create space for sisters and grantees to share lessons learned in establishing collective networks, using advocacy for social justice and practicing servant leadership to promote human dignity in a time of great turmoil.”
She disclosed further that the convening aims to capture the collective wisdom of grantees from around the world, “to be shared with sisters across the entire initiative, as part of our ongoing journey to support a global sisterhood.
Sr. Wakahiu underscored that the time shared together during the conference should allow for new connections and the existing partnerships to be deepened in anticipation of strengthening the equality and sustainability of collective efforts.
On her part, chairperson for the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) Sr. Josephine Veronicah Kangogo DHS highlighted that the emphasis during the meeting is on the critical role of grantees in supporting Sisters to bring faith and hope to families and communities.
Sr Kangogo disclosed that there are over 700,000 Catholic Sisters globally who “devote their lives as agents of evangelization to serving humanity especially those from marginalized and humble backgrounds.”
“Our entire life is centered on helping people to come up with innovative ways to solving their problems in order that they may lead live that are dignified as children of God,” Sr. Kangogo said.
