From 11 to 14 September 2025, 113 women from across the Asia-Pacific region, together with three men, gathered at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, for the WUCWO Asia Pacific Regional Conference “A Conference for spiritual growth and connection”, hosted by the Catholic Women’s League Australia.
The conference opened with a Mass at the Mary MacKillop Chapel, followed by words of welcome from Ann Pereira, President of CWLA, and Mónica Santamarina, WUCWO President General. Over the three days, participants reflected, prayed and shared experiences through reports from different countries, keynote presentations, and moments of synodal dialogue.
Guest speakers included Margaret Hagen, who spoke on the Call to Ecological Conversion, Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia, on the Global Food Crisis, and Sonia Di Mezza, CEO of Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services, who addressed Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees. Dr. Deirdre Little also gave a presentation on bioethics and seasonal workers.
Common challenges
Country reports, from Fiji, Korea, India, Philippines, Lebanon, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and of course Australia, highlighted both the diversity and the common challenges faced by women in the region, including domestic violence, homelessness, migration and ecological concerns. Special moments included a pilgrimage to MacKillop Place, the presentation of the WUCWO Planting Hope Campaign, and the closing Mass.
On the final day, participants engaged in Conversations in the Spirit, panel discussions, and business sessions focused on the ASPAC Strategic Plan and new resolutions for WUCWO.
Reflecting on the experience, Karen de Sousa, WUCWO Board Member from Australia, shared:
“The last day, we started with our Conversations in the Spirit… so blessed to have been able to facilitate this synodal learning with these WUCWO women. Whilst there were obviously differences in the most challenging issues women face in their own countries and communities, there was also common ground such as domestic violence, homelessness and so on. I want to shout out to the world how great WUCWO is, how all Catholic women should be members and how amazing, courageous, generous and energetic our women are at meeting the most pressing needs in our societies”.
The Asia Pacific Conference was a true moment of synodality, solidarity, and shared mission, strengthening the bonds among Catholic women leaders across the region. It offered not only moments of spiritual reflection, but also of fellowship, joy, and the sharing of dreams for the future.
MORE PICTURES HERE: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCu81i
