Moved by the cruel treatment faced by many widows in Ghana, Mary Immaculate Sr. Gabriel Nonaah started St. Monica Widows Association to provide these vulnerable women with empowerment, education and self-reliance.
At the mission, "no one cares whether they are from the Turkana or Samburu community," says Sr. Felister Maria Kwamboka. "We remind them every day that all children belong to Jesus, and he sent angels to protect us."
Many on the margins felt like Pope Francis was the last world leader defending them. Now, with a conclave ahead, sisters in social ministries say they hope the next pope shares Francis' preference for the poor.
No one doubted the late pope's commitment to a peaceful solution in Ukraine. But even among Ukraine's small Catholic community, some felt that Francis was not robust enough in his condemnation of Russia.
I'd received questions from my Ukrainian friends and relatives doubting the pope's stance toward their suffering. But on April 21, I read words of gratitude from many Ukrainians to Francis for his support and sympathy.
Pope Francis, who elevated the status of women, and especially women religious, within the Catholic Church more than any pontiff in history, died early April 21. He was 88.
Horizons - Lovers of the Holy Cross sisters spent two years serving the population in a rural, mountainous area, helping with education, faith and health care. Now they're tackling the challenge children face with attending school.
We can still talk about trust after the abuse scandals — but only if church leadership puts in place measures to ensure that trust is never again betrayed as it was in the past.
Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception Sr. Mary Vu Thi Ngoc and her team have rescued 48 women from domestic abuse by assisting with medical expenses, repairing homes and providing them with financial support to help them start small businesses.
