Bearers of Reconciliation in Our World
For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation…
It is all God’s work.
It was God who reconciled us to himself
and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation
(2 Corinthians 5: 17-18)
We live in a time of extreme violence, a time when lights of hope and reconciliation are desperately needed. We are nearly 800 women leaders from 69 countries and five continents. The International Union of Superiors General represents members of Catholic religious institutes in 98 countries throughout the world. We believe that no more important mission exists at this time than to be bearers of the reconciling hope for which the world cries.
Believing that reconciliation is God’s desire for the world, we humbly declare our reliance upon God, the source of reconciliation, and the source of all healing and forgiveness. We know too that we are not alone as we journey with people of many faiths and traditions who long for a reconciled world. We walk with them in our insecurity, fragility, and need for continuous conversion of heart, recognizing our common desire to make the basic principles that govern our lives inclusive love and the search for truth.
As leaders, we commit ourselves to work with one another, with the members of our institutes and national conferences of religious, by:
Living a spirituality of reconciliation
We will:
- witness in community this spirituality, based on the Word of God and nurtured by contemplation, prayer and the Eucharist
- deepen this spirituality through our programs of initial and ongoing formation and share it beyond our institutes with those with whom we journey
- live this spirituality of compassion, respect, courage, truth and reconciling hope.
Proclaiming publicly our commitment
to be bearers of reconciliation
We will:
- collaborate with other associations for justice, resolution of conflict and an end to war in all its forms
- use the media to announce an alternative vision, tell stories of reconciliation and denounce violence and injustice
- create and promote dialogue, understanding and reconciliation among peoples, cultures and religions
- intensify efforts toward healing, reconciliation and right relationships between women and men especially within the Church
Continuing, in a spirit of reconciliation,
our commitment to the 2001 UISG Declaration.
We will:
- intensify our efforts, as bearers of reconciliation in the world, to eradicate the trafficking of women and children,
- promote the education and formation of women and girls
- be proactive in peace-building, and in caring for all creation.
Sharing with one another our resources on
and experiences of reconciliation.
We will:
- use the UISG resources, especially its publications and web site, to strengthen our solidarity with one another.
- share what we have learned and circulate materials we have developed that promote reconciliation.
We move forward as women religious leaders, disciples of Jesus Christ. We are firm in our belief that, in solidarity with others, our members will collaborate in the Spirit’s work of transforming the world.
UISG Assembly
Rome, Italy
May 16, 2004