By Rachel Kogi, CSN media
In a colourful ceremony to mark the 110th anniversary of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisation (WUCWO), the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi encouraged the members of the organisation to always cultivate a relationship and be in communion with the Bishops.
The encouragement was given during his homily at the Holy Mass celebrated on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Cor Mariae Boys’ College, Abuja, as part of WUCWO anniversary celebration and funding raising towards providing a laboratory for the school.
The Nuncio charged all Catholic women to three-fold commitments, which include firstly, their duties of helping the new generation to walk faithfully in the path of Jesus, in a culture that is distant and even hostile to the gospel. Secondly, to contribute towards ensuring that the Christian community faithfully follows Jesus, and thirdly, to always be in communion with their shepherds, by cultivating relationship with them.
The Papal Envoy further challenged the women to be Catholic women in totality, and not just in the physical aspect, in accordance with the first reading of the day: “faith apart from works is dead.” He explained that St. James refused the separation between faith and charity, and this is the same message of Jesus, when he said, “not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Commending the Catholic women Organisation of Nigeria, he observed that as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, he goes to different parts of the country and has noticed their presence everywhere, because of their uniform, and their active participation in the liturgy. He however urged them to always respect the liturgy, making it alive spiritually, not only by external actions.
Additionally, the Nuncio advanced the three dimensions of the true life of faith as indicated by St. Thomas Aquinas, who he described as the greatest theologian of all centuries. These are the internal dimensions or internal acts of faith; the profession of the word; and the life according to the faith. He noted that in addition to putting into practice the invitation to follow Jesus, Catholic women are called to help others, to welcome and live the demanding message of the gospel, in accordance with Pope Francis’ words that “women play a fundamental role in passing on the faith.” He went on to establish that women must do this in relation to what Pope John Paul II called “Genius of women”, meaning the deep characteristics of being a woman. This “Genius of women” behoves on women to take care of everything – life, the poor, the truth, prayer, the education, the family and the young. He thus concluded that “nothing and nobody can be outside of the care of the women.”
In attendance and concelebrating the Mass were the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, the Epicopal Chairman for Laity and Bishop of Kano diocese, Most Rev. John Namaza Nyiring, OSA, as well as the National Chaplain of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Rev. Fr. Dr. Benedict O. Okike. Also present in representative capacity was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martin, represented by the National Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, the Director, Pastoral Agents, CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Dugu, other Priests, the Chaplain of Aso Rock, Pastor Seyi Malomo, who represented the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Women of Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, the National President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN), Hon. Sir Henry Hoomlong Yunkwap (KSJI) and many other dignitaries.
In a remark, Archbishop Kaigama congratulated WUCWO on the milestone and assured them of his continuous support to the success of their project of building a laboratory for the school. In the same vein, Bishop Nyiring commended the efforts of the CWON in erecting a school for boys to learn and work together for the good of the nation. He observed that it is a special day for the CWON, which is a part of WUCWO, as it celebrates 110 years.
The representative of Vice President Osinbajo felicitated with the women, noting that His Excellency, has pledged his full support towards the success of their project, the construction a laboratory for the students.
While delivering an address, the Minister of Women Affairs commended the CWON for setting up the Cor Mariae Boys’ College, noting that it will “bring up disciplined young men who will be better fathers, to complement the role of the Catholic women”. She added that “care for children is the responsibility of all, not only women or mothers.”
The National President of the CWO, Dame Mary Asibi Gonsum, in her message to the women encouraged them to be up and doing, because they “have a very great responsibility and role to play in the family, the Church and society at large, most especially now that the country is experiencing many challenges.” She added that “God has endowed women with wisdom to take care of the family as mothers,” so, they should use that wisdom.
Also adding his voice to the significance of the event was the National Laity President, who noted that “the event is significant because education is one of the core cardinals of the Church, which is why the women established the school.” He noted that the fundraising to provide a laboratory for the school was a welcome development because “no school can function effectively without a laboratory.”
Highlights of the event were a choreography presentation by the Praise Movers of CWO, Maitama, cutting of the anniversary cake and a presentation by the students of the college.
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