The Diocesan Council for Women was launched on 6 March 2022, to coincide with International Women’s Day, following the restructuring of the Council for Australian Catholic Women (a group funded by the Australian Catholic Bishops Association) to empower, educate, and support women in spirituality, leadership, and service in the life and mission of the Church. The Council's vision is for a united, inclusive Church that educates, encourages, responds to, and supports all women in nurturing and nourishing their God-given gifts.
The Council aims to service the diocesan community by:
- Recognising women living in and are committed to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and living and echoing the spirit of Mary Magdalene.
- Providing meaningful “reflection” opportunities for busy women so they may come to know and love God.
- Consulting with women, parishes, diocesan and apostolic bodies to identify areas of concern and needs relating to participation, formation, and support of women in the life and mission of the Church and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
- Implementing any recommendations from the Plenary Council, Decree 4 - Witnessing to the equal dignity of women and men.
The Mission of the Council is to:
- Spend time reading about and studying the most recent data available to fully understand current movements that better serve the needs of the women in our Diocese.
- Commit to developing and/or facilitating the ongoing formation and educational opportunities to allow reflection on who we as Catholic women are in modern society.
- Empower and support women in roles of ministry and leadership with the Church and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
- Continue to promote women’s visibility in liturgical roles through education and formation.
- Respond to social justice issues affecting women, by providing education opportunities or strategies for solutions.
- Operate in a manner that the Church of Maitland-Newcastle diocese, its parishes, and its members will act in support and encouragement when pursuing education and nourishment locally, and across the world as a part of our expression of faith.
- Seek out, recognise, and utilise the diversity of gifts, experience, knowledge, and competence of our female staff and volunteers.
See a video of the Council for Women launch here: Church without Walls: Celebrating Women in our Diocese | Maitland-Newcastle Catholic News (mnnews.today)
