AWRC Role and Development History

Role: The African Women Religious Conference (AWRC) plays a significant role in addressing the issues relating to integration/adaption of African women religious into the various ministries of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Foundation and Leadership (1997): The Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People (PCMR), led by Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, initiated the organization of the first National Conference of African Women Religious living in the United States, known as the African Women Religious Conference (AWRC) under the leadership of Sr. Marie Prefontaine (SND)/Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure.

Conference Purpose: The primary purpose of AWRC is to identify/highlight and address major challenges/issues faced by African women religious who are living/working in various apostolates of the Catholic Church in the United States. Focus is on orientation/inculturation of new arrivals in the United States..

Inauguration: The AWRC inaugural meeting took place in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and served as a gathering point for African women religious to discuss/deliberate in collaboration, on important topics/issues relating to women religious in the Catholic Church.

Follow-Up Initiatives: Following the inaugural meeting at Pennsylvania(the first AWRC), Rev. Fr Aniedi Okure continued to work on improving the Orientation and Integration process for African women religious in the United States. A notable initiative was the organization of meetings/gatherings for Major Superiors from different African women religious congregations in the United States, who served as valuable resources for the PCMR and played a role in advancing the integration process.

Contributions of Major Superiors Meetings/Gathering: The Major Superiors from different African women religious congregations in the United States provide important information for the creation of a database of African Women Religious, actively ministering in the United States. The database provides valuable resources for understanding and addressing the needs/challenges faced by African women religious in the United States.

Conclusion: The inauguration of AWRC and the subsequent initiatives led by Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure and Sr. Marie Prefontaine played a crucial role in fostering a sense of welcome and integration for African women religious in the United States and ensuring that their contributions to the Church were recognized and supported.