pathways, December 2009
Sister Maureen Andrews, Australian Leader of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters, from Brisbane,
was one of two Australian representatives at the 15th meeting of women religious leaders from Asia-Oceania which was held in Thailand.
She writes of the experience ...
with links to NCR'S Tom Fox interviews with
Australia's Sister Edna Mary MacDonald
Indian theologian Sister Rekha M. Chennattu who called for a radically new religious paradigm
the executive secretary of the Union of International Superiors General, Sister Maria Victoria Gonzalez de Castejon
and a statement of support to US Religious women
This year it was my good fortune to attend the gathering of AMOR XV (Asia-Oceania Meeting of Religious) held at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre of Bangkok Archdiocese in Thailand.
This 15th meeting of AMOR focused on the theme of Jesus Encounters the Syro-Phoenician Woman: Women Religious of Asia-Oceania Called to Move Beyond.
The beauty of the centre with its windows overlooking the artificial lake with a pavilion in the centre combined with the gardens outside captured by the joy and beauty of the people gathered within. It was hard to imagine a more wonderful moment.
For a week, 110 women journeyed together listening, reflecting and understanding the call of the God of history who moves us beyond as experienced by the Syro-Phoenician woman and by Jesus himself.
Tom Fox, from National Catholic Reporter, was the lone man and he wrote daily reports for the website.
There was a well prepared exposure program where we were given the opportunity to experience the reality of the people in Thai society.
Through Sister Joan Evans, a Presentation Sister from Perth, WA, who lives in the Klong Toey slums, we met Father Jo Maier who has lived and worked in Bangkok for 40 years. His work with Mercy Care brought tears to our eyes when we sat and talked to the children who had caught AIDS from their parents.
The theological reflections challenged us to reflect on our experience and move beyond our own religious, social, cultural and gender boundaries.
The person who really impressed me was Sister Rekha Chennattu (see below). She was down to earth, inclusive and Jesus-centred as she explained how the Canaanite woman challenges women religious to redefine their identity and mission today.
Meeting so many religious from Asia reinforced my belief that women have special charisms. They are good at listening, are multi-skilled, perceptive and intuitive.
Being energized by the reflections, shared Eucharist and the exposure programs, I was challenged to reflect on and assess how the congregation I belong to can better be of service to the Church and to the wider society.
It is my belief that more than ever both the Church and society need the voices of committed and energetic Christian women as they keep moving beyond and ahead, giving expression to the aspirations of all that is best in society.
In the words of Sr Edna Mary MacDonald, an Australian and a member of the AMOR Committee: "Believing in the power of Jesus Christ we go forth with the persuasive and daring spirit of the Syro-Phoenician woman moving boundaries whenever and wherever humanity and all of creation stand in need of healing and wholeness."
Sister Maureen Andrews speaks at the conference (above) and (below, second from left) with a group of participants.
SISTER EDNA MARY MACDONALD, Australia
... This is my third AMOR conference. I have been on the executive committee twice. While the planning is tough and demanding, I am energised by the experience.
I am not surprised, but I am amazed at how, particularly in areas of world and church where women religious are under enormous political and social pressure, they are being prophetic at the grassroots level.
They could walk out the door and be shot or could get attacked in a camp. These are amazing women.
SISTER REKHA M. CHENNATTU
Samphran, Thailand - Speaking before an international gathering of women religious leaders here, Indian theologian, Assumption Sister Rekha M. Chennattu called for a radically new religious paradigm. ...
Chennattu, who holds advanced degrees in scripture studies from Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Catholic University of America in Washington, described religious formation as a "never-ending dynamic process".
"Religious by nature are called to bring about its dynamic permanent renewal," she said.
"... The old style of leadership as 'command and control' is outdated and cannot work today. The friendship model of leadership seems to be the most appropriate and adequate model for religious communities, as we are consecrated to be sisters and friends."
She based her egalitarian call on the gospel story of Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman, a piece of scripture that has served at the anchoring text for a nine-day meeting at a conference center 30 miles outside of Bangkok.
"Matthew portrays the woman as an active dialogue partner who dares to confront Jesus, the newly found Jewish prophet, with counter theological arguments."
Her point was that women religious today need to be daring and active dialogue partners.
SISTER MARIA VICTORIA GONZALLEZ DE CASTEJON
Tom Fox speaks about AMOR, its purpose, and place in the church with Religious of the Sacred Heart Sister Maria Victoria Gonzalez de Castejon who is the executive secretary of the Union of International Superiors General based in Rome. She was a guest observer at AMOR XV.
They are working on a statement of support for U.S. women religious. What do you think about this?
I think it is very good. They want to show they are in solidarity. They want to offer support. They want to say "we are with you." No one knows exactly why this visitation is taking place. It is simply a fact. Nobody can discuss it. We have to accept. But we have to tell the U.S. women that we understand this is not an easy moment for them. That's what these women here are doing. At the same time we have to show them we are in solidarity. We have to show it. We all have to be in solidarity with them.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
In a symbolic and bold move, women religious leaders from 17 Asian and Oceania nations have issued a statement of solidarity with U.S. women religious who are facing two Vatican investigations. ... AMOR, which stands for Asia-Oceania Meeting of Religious has been holding its meeting with the theme, Jesus Encounters the Syro-Phoenician Woman: Called to Move Beyond. The solidarity statement was viewed by many as one answer to the call...
Further articles by Tom Fox from the AMOR conference are available by clicking on the Women Religious link under his byline on each article and then scrolling through the list. This section of the NCR website is called Women Religious: Lives of mercy and justice and aims to draw attention to the remarkable work of women religious around the globe. It provides an email alert sign-up facility. 
