Taken at the Ratification of C.W.O. Aberdeen on the 16^th of May 2023 

The Catholic Women Organisation (C.W.O.) Aberdeen was approved as a member body by WUCWO in June 2021, awaiting ratification. When the date for the general assembly was fixed for the 14^th – 20^th of May 2023, we were excited and 11 of our members registered to attend. It was a rare privilege that WUCWO’s GA this year (2023) was preceded by the audience with Pope Francis, making our first attendance of the GA very special.

We arrived in Rome with much enthusiasm, and it was a great pleasure meeting and interacting with other member organisations of WUCWO from different continents. The fellowship brought pure joy.

We proceeded to Assisi and though there were a few issues encountered at the beginning, the General Assembly was so beautiful regardless. We became ratified on the 16^th of May, 2023, a day we had all been eagerly waiting for.

That day was a huge milestone in the life of our noble group. The feeling of accomplishment felt cannot be described as we recall how the journey began. The initial contact with WUCWO, the following correspondence, the application process, the acceptance and finally the ratification as an associate member body.

Here are some of the feedback from CWO Aberdeen delegates to the GA:

"Thank you for receiving us officially as WUCWO members. It's an achievement we are all proud of." (Rosemary Nonye Ezeogu)

"It was a very informative experience, sharing challenges & successes from different parts of the world. The cultural night & crafts were beautiful additions to the program. The inclusion of young women in the audience with the Pope was very encouraging, for the future lies with them. Assisi provided a rich spiritual experience, very grateful for this." (Patricia Malikebu)

The General Assembly in Assisi was our first ever. It was a learning process for us all. We came, we observed and we learned. Armed with the knowledge gained and the overall experience of the GA, I believe we are now better equipped to serve the church and our community as ‘artisans of human fraternity for world peace’- the theme of the General Assembly 2023.

It was a very successful General Assembly. We look forward with prayers and hope to attend the next General Assembly come 2027.

Anthonia Amayo

President Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Aberdeen

Taken at the audience with Pope Francis - awaiting his arrival

CWO Delegates after Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

Taken at the Cultural Evening in Assisi