Sr. Oonah O’Shea Elected President of the International Union of Superiors General

14/05/2025

News

Sr. Oonah O’Shea Elected as New President of the International Union of Superiors General

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) is pleased to announce the election of Sr. Oonah O’Shea, NDS, as the new President of the Union. Her election took place during the Delegates’ Assembly, held in Rome as part of the broader 2025 Plenary process.

Sr. O’Shea, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion, is an Australian religious sister born in 1946 to Irish parents. She brings to her new role a profound commitment to justice, interreligious dialogue, and the empowerment of marginalized communities, shaped by decades of pastoral, educational, and leadership experience.

She began her professional journey as a primary school teacher in Catholic schools and was actively involved in the Young Christian Workers movement. In 1968, she entered her religious congregation and continued her service through teaching and further studies in theology, politics, and economic history. A formative year spent in Israel deepened her understanding of faith and intercultural engagement.

In 1990, Sr. O’Shea co-founded a mission in a rural area of the Philippines, where she lived for 20 years. Her work included collaboration with lay catechists, the founding of an NGO focused on empowering poor rural women, and active membership in the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. She is fluent in English and speaks some Tagalog.

Elected as Congregation Leader in 2010, she completed her first term and was re-elected in 2022. She is currently serving her second term, which will continue until 2028.

In accepting her new role as President of the Union, Sr. O’Shea addressed the assembly with words of both encouragement and humility:

“Thank you to each one of you for your dedication as women religious in today’s world. Let us move forward together, committed to our Church and to our God, as women called to be a beacon of light in many of the challenging realities we face across the globe. I ask for your prayers as I take on this role.”

The Union welcomes Sr. Oonah O’Shea with gratitude and confidence, trusting in her leadership to accompany the journey of religious life with vision, faith, and compassion.

22/06/2025

Trish Hindmarsh

As an old Sionian, who received great blessings through my schooling with the Sisters of Sion in Warragul Australia, I am thrilled Sr Una has been elected to lead this very influential body of Congregational Leaders. What a fitting way to be called to share globally her gifts and lifelong commitment to human development and the Gospel. Very excited to read this news. Love and prayers.

30/05/2025

Kate Roberts

Congratulations to my younger Sister. All our family thoughts are with you at this moment it’s time . We all love you and you are in our thoughts always . Love and thoughts Kate and Co .

27/05/2025

Veronica Lawson

Congratulations, Oonah, and every blessing on your ministry as UISG President. We are in good hands! Veronica

27/05/2025

bernard p ryan

Is this Oona O'Shea originally from West Geelong where she went to St Patrick's Primary School - where I went: Kathy O'Shea was in my class. Mr O'Shea taught Irish dancing in Geelong...In the 1950s we used have a big St Pat's Day with a procession through Geelong West and a sports day for all the Catholic primary schools. at the local oval. My uncle was a wood merchant and we Ryans would set up a 'float' on board -with 'harps' and lots of green! Bern, St Leonards, Vic, Austrlia. Good luck, Oona!

19/05/2025

Sr. Elizabeth Sullivan

Congratulations and we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA congratulate you. We offer you re prayers and support as you lead this illustrious group of women! And, yes, your cousin, Sr. Mary Theresa Shea is quite proud of you! Sr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Sullivan

19/05/2025

BATHILDE Sandrine

Durant ce mois consacré à Marie, l'esprit saint a soufflé deux fois à Rome et dans le même sens, celui de la Justice sociale et de la Paix. Nous prierons pour toi très chère Oonah. In Sion firmata sum.

17/05/2025

Patricia Mary Bell

Thanks Oonah for accepting this very important role Congratulations and blessings Patricia

15/05/2025

Sr. M. Micaela Monetti

A Suor Oonah O’Shea, NDS neo-eletta presidente dell’UISG. Accogliamo con speranza la notizia della sua elezione a Presidente dell’Unione Internazionale Superiore Generali e, nella comunione ecclesiale che ci caratterizza, come Unione delle Superiore Maggiori d’Italia (USMI), rinnoviamo con determinazione l’impegno di camminare insieme nell’edificazione del popolo fedele di Dio come presenza femminile, profetica e materna ovunque è necessario. Con mitezza e fermezza decliniamo gli impegni assunti nell’Assemblea plenaria appena conclusa: Diventare Donne di pace, capaci di restare accanto alle ferite del mondo; Donne che vegliano nella notte, testimoniando speranza nei luoghi oscuri; Donne sinodali, artefici di comunità evangeliche e inclusive; Donne profetiche, che anche nella fragilità si fanno segno di attesa e luce. Maria, la madre di Gesù e madre nostra, vergine figlia di Sion ci preceda nel cammino e ci indichi la via della pace. Con gratitudine per la disponibilità ad assumere il servizio di Presidente UISG rinnoviamo gli Auguri di un fecondo ministero e assicuriamo la preghiera per lei e per le sue più strette collaboratrici. Sr. M. Micaela Monetti, pddm Presidente USMI Nazionale

15/05/2025

Sr Nadia Lahoud sja

Merci. 1-Je désir bien d avoir des outils pratiques... Le comment prendre soin des religieuses âgées qui n'acceptent pas leurs âges. 2- avoir des sessions... Comment gérer notre vieillesse. Merci

15/05/2025

Sr Nadia Lahoud sja