CWL convention opens doors

700 delegates respond to needs of natives, refugees

Special to the WCR
Moncton, New Brunswick

Seven hundred women representing parishes, diocese and provincial councils listened as Mary Jo Leddy, the executive director of Romero House community told how refugees help us look at our country with new eyes. She urged the CWL to remember refugees are people, not "an issue," and to find ways to help these people bring their gifts to Canada.

Leddy asked delegates to talk with the MPs as soon as possible and to invite refugees to speak to their parishes so they could know them as people, not numbers. She also encouraged them to work with their dioceses on agreements to sponsor refugees, and to be sure that chaplains are available and attending people who are being held in refugee detainment centres.

"Because of rule changes more people are being held in these centres. We need to know who they are and why they are there. They can easily get lost," she said.

Parishes could also encourage young people to volunteer to work at refugee centres.

"More and more people are coming and we cannot help everyone. Parishes need guidelines for offering sanctuary in order to be able to discern who is really at risk and needs our help," said Leddy.

She suggested the CWL work with the bishops of Canada to prepare guidelines for Catholic parishes that would enable people to work effectively in this area.

Another door was opened for many delegates when Judge Graydon Nicholas of the Maliceet nation and Bishop Douglas Crobsy helped the group become aware of the many symbols, signs and values shared by both Christianity and aboriginal spirituality.

Nicholas spoke of the struggles his and other aboriginal people have faced from the time of "first encounters" until now.

"What was it that made people say the beautiful values of our native faith were evil?" he asked.

The judge reminded the group that other countries have also faced this question of enculturation (accepting and incorporating those values and practices in native religions which mirror and deepen Christian values and practices).

"How long will it take for my language, my spiritual values, and my culture to be accepted by the Catholic Church?" - Judge Graydon Nicholas

"It is still a problem in Canada, yet in the 1600s the Jesuit martyrs at Midland were not afraid to enter sweat lodges and share faith with the Huron people. How long will it take for my language, my spiritual values, and my culture to be accepted by the Catholic Church?"

While Nicholas has been able to reconcile his native spirituality and Catholicism, he reminded his listeners "many others still walk in pain."

Crosby talked about the Innu and their practice of taking time away as a community to renew their commitment to God and to the land.

"For all people, fire, light, water and food are basic to life. These are also the key symbols of the Christian celebration of life especially at Easter and we need to recognize the power and importance of the symbols and values that unite us."

Many of the resolutions also sought to open doors.

Resolutions and motions originate in parishes, dioceses and provincial conventions throughout the country. Those that come to the national level are directed to national organizations such as the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and various ministries of the federal government or to the membership of the CWL itself.

The resolutions for 2002 covered such topics as: the use of Christian prayer at national ceremonies; anti-bullying programs; accessibility of the workplace for persons with disabilities; income supplement programs for seniors; tax on currency exchange programs that would help Third World countries; a national home care program; fetal alcohol programs; labelling on prepackaged foods; a prohibition of human embryonic stem cell research, but promotion of research on the use of human adult stem cells; biopatenting of plants, animals, micro-organisms and all other living organisms, including the natural processes that produce them; responsible use of the Internet, and child pornography.

Each resolution represents hours of research done by members at the parish, diocesan and provincial levels.

The new national president, Marie Cameron, brings 29 years of experience to her job. She is a Calgarian, actively involved in her parish and her community and she has been a member of the CWL for 29 years.

Joining her on the national executive will be: president-elect Agnes Bedard also of Calgary, first vice-president Laurette Noble of Quebec, second vice-president Danielle McNiel-Hessian of Nova Scotia, secretary-treasurer Shirley Bernier of Quebec and chairpersons of standing committees: Pat Crossman of Nova Scotia, Ann Doucet of New Brunswick, Velma Hareson of Saskatchewan, Jackie Lenarduzzi of British Columbia and Lucille Partington of Sexsmith, Alta.

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