Pope Francis with group of Catholic Sisters
Religious/Spiritual, Social Justice

Catholic Sisters Living the Church’s Social Mission: Signs of Hope

Where do we see living examples of Catholic social teaching in action? Catholic sisters are at the forefront of work for justice, peace, and care for creation. They lead schools, soup kitchens, environmental advocacy efforts, anti-trafficking initiatives, and countless ministries in parishes and communities across the globe. 

Throughout the world, there are more than 700,000 Catholic sisters. They can often be found leading the ministries that bring dignity and hope to young people, families, and communities; vocations are rising in countries in Africa and Asia in particular. Sisters’ ministries are powerful examples of Catholic social teaching in action. 

This online Public Dialogue will offer a window into that renewal and ways religious sisters make the Gospel come alive in some of the poorest and most challenging places on earth. The dialogue will feature sisters who raise awareness and address critical issues like education, economic empowerment, migration, and conflict. Four Catholic sisters working in Kenya, Peru, Uganda, and at the U.S. southern border will explore their understanding of religious life and how their vocation makes a difference in their communities via questions such as: 

  • What led you to become a Catholic sister, and what joys and challenges do you face in your everyday life? How is your life different than it would have been had you chosen another path? 
  • As a Catholic sister, how do you understand the principles of Catholic social teaching, and how do they shape your service?
  • In what ways have religious communities adapted their practices and missions to address contemporary social challenges, such as climate change, immigration, and economic inequality?
  • How should the rest of us understand religious life and your ministries? How can others support this work?
  • How do religious sisters integrate a commitment to Catholic social teaching and social justice with other critical elements of our common faith? 
  • What does women’s leadership look like in your community? In the global Church? How could the Church expand leadership roles for women?
  • What is the vocation of religious sisters in this time and your place? 
  • Why are women choosing to join your congregation, and what lessons can the Church in the rest of the world learn from that? 
  • What are your greatest challenges? What are your greatest hopes? 

Participants:

  • Sr. Pauline Acayo, LSMIG, is a member of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu and has worked for Catholic Relief Services since 1998. She currently works in Kenya as the project coordinator for Strengthening the Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development (SCORE ECD).
  • Sr. Dr. Rosemary Nyirumbe, SSHJ, is a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gulu, Uganda, and currently serves as the director of St. Monica’s Girls’ Tailoring Center, where she works with women and girls who have survived horrific acts of violence due to the civil war.
  • Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., is the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and the leader of the Humanitarian Respite Center for families fleeing violence in Central America. Pope Francis has praised her for her work with refugees and immigrants to the United States.
  • Sr. Patricia Ryan, M.M., is a Maryknoll sister who has lived and worked in Peru since 1971. She is an advocate for human rights and environmental justice and works with indigenous farmers in the Andes Mountains. 

Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative and member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, will moderate the conversation.

This Public Dialogue is co-sponsored by the Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs.

Recording and Accessibility​

For those who cannot join us for the livestream, a recording will be made available and posted online for later viewing.

All in-person accommodation requests should be sent to cathsocialthought@georgetown.edu by September 12. A good-faith effort will be made to fulfill requests.