While the eyes of the world perch on the Sistine Chapel, where 133 Cardinals will meet behind closed doors to choose the next Pope, more than 900 religious from 75 countries participate in the 23rd Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superior General (UISG).
In the structured appointment under the slogan “The consecrated life: a hope that transforms”, from May 5 to 9 at the Ergife Palace hotel, the religious will reflect on the synodality, the role of female religious life in the Catholic Church and the contemporary world.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
According to the organizers, the encounter represents a space for listening, spiritual discernment and common projection, in line with the methodology promoted by the recent synod on synodality.
Although there will be no white smoke after its deliberations, this “other conclave” marks a milestone in female ecclesial life. The religious, from regions as diverse as the countries of Europe, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Brazil, Mexico, the United States or, for the first time, Indonesia, will focus on reflecting on the prophetic testimony, radical love, brave innovation and joyful community life as ways to embody the transformative hope of Christ.
In a statement, the president of the UISG, HNA. Mary Barron, superior general of the sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, emphasized that the Assembly, through the methodology of “conversation into the spirit”, a method used in the synod of synodality will encourage inclusive dialogue and listening attentive among the participants.
Only female voice in the novelty in suffrage of Pope Francis
On the eighth day of the novelty, the new days of mourning after the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Salesiano Ángel Fernández Artime presided over the Mass in the Basilica of San Pedro, but before the celebration, the HNA. Barron took the floor.
Thus, he stressed that the pontiff was “a humble, compassionate shepherd, full of love without limits” that he knew how to host and value consecrated women, making them “active participants of the synodal road.” “We promise to continue the mission,” concluded the superior.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.