“Women religious are among the most effective and vital partners we have on the frontlines in fragile communities around the world.”

This was a key point that US Embassy to the Holy See Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Connell wished to emphasize during the March 8 annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards virtual ceremony. One can watch the Full Event Here: https://fb.watch/49DXOEPj7G/

This annual award honors women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others.  It is an extraordinary opportunity to bring international attention and support to women who have put their lives and/or personal safety at risk in order to improve their societies and inspire fellow citizens.

One of this year’s honoree’s was Sister Alicia Vacas Moro who was nominated by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

The Chargé d’Affaires, along with UISG Superior General, Sr. Patricia Murray, offered welcome remarks before linking to the live broadcast of the IWOC award ceremony in Washington, D.C.  Sr. Alicia joined the program, which was available also in Spanish and Italian. immediately following the virtual award ceremony in Washington.

A registered nurse, Sister Alicia Vacas Moro ran a medical clinic in Egypt for eight years, helping 150 low-income patients a day treat their maladies. She then moved to the biblical town of Bethany to help an impoverished Bedouin community, especially women and children. She set up training programs for women that provided them with previously unavailable economic opportunities, and established kindergartens in Bedouin camps, providing an educational foundation for children.

In an environment shaped by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sister Alicia also assisted traumatized refugees and asylum seekers, a job she continues to perform on a larger scale in her current role as the regional coordinator for the Comboni Sisters in the Middle East. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck northern Italy, she flew to Italy to assist and treat fellow sisters, undeterred by extreme danger to herself.

In his remarks, US Embassy to the Holy See Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Connell praised the invaluable work of religious sisters, acknowledging: “They serve the displaced and the desperate and do so — frequently — at the enormous risk of harm to themselves, in places where governments have failed, and humanitarian organizations struggle to operate.”

“They are often the last beacons of hope for millions of people who otherwise would have no voice,” he said.

For more than 20 years, as Sister Alicia served in the Middle East’s war-torn communities, he underscored, she “advocated for those who could not speak for themselves in places besieged by war and insecurity.” As a registered nurse and human rights advocate, he lauded her fight to “empower women, educate children, and provide medical care in predominately Muslim communities.”

Through her contributions worldwide, he stressed, Sister Alicia dedicated her life to helping others.

“Pope Francis knows that women are partners whose energies and ideas are essential in society,” he continued, recognizing: “He’s undertaken initiatives and appointments to increase the representation of women’s views and to leverage their talent in the governing of the Church.”

“Diversity and inclusion make every organization stronger, smarter, and more creative; and so, it’s very encouraging to see the talents of more women religious and lay women — being utilized inside the Vatican to advance significant policies.”

Speaking about this annual award ceremony, UISG Superior General, Sr. Pat Murray, noted that the US Embassy helped to highlight the life and ministry of several women religious who have all served their people in very difficult and demanding contexts.

“These sisters highlight the life commitment of thousands of other Catholic Sisters who have often left their own countries to meet the needs of those who are on the margins of life, to work for peace and reconciliation and to collaborate with many others to build bridges of profound respect and understanding so that life may flourish for each person and for all.”

Sister Alicia Vacas Moro, she said, is another witness of that same generosity and lifelong commitment to those in need.  Elaborating on Sr. Alicia’s experiences and her establishing educational and other opportunities that empower people to live a more dignified life, she noted these are “the concrete steps that she has taken to help build a more just and peaceful society where the needs of the most vulnerable are not forgotten.”

“We know,” she emphasized, “that the pandemic has increased the vulnerability of countless women across the world. However women everywhere have shown great resilience in balancing work and family life while coping with the threat of infection.

“Let us remember today,” she said, “that women are leading the health response during this global pandemic as 70% of the social and health care workforce are women.”

Now in its 15^th year, the State Department has recognized more than 155 remarkable women from over 75 countries around the world with the IWOC award.  Women who have been imprisoned, harassed, and threatened with death for standing up for justice, human rights, constitutional reform, and the rule of law.

After the award ceremony, the awardees participated in a virtual International Visitor Leadership Program.  During this program, awardees met with U.S. government officials, universities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and others as part of their professional exchange.

Here one can read Sr. Alicia’s interview with Sisters Report on her State Department International Women of Courage Award nomination: https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/ministry/news/comboni-sister-named-2021-woman-courage-work-middle-east

Below are the full remarks of Sister Pat, the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy to the Holy See, and the US Secretary of State, provided by the UISG, US Embassy to the Holy See and State Department, respectively:

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IWOC Virtual Ceremony 2021 Remarks

Opening Statement from Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Connell

March 8, 2021

Hello and welcome to everyone joining us on line.

It’s a pleasure to be here at the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) with Sister Pat Murray as we mark (unbelievably) the 110th anniversary of International Women’s Day, and today we also recognize and celebrate the incredible work of this year’s International Women of Courage.

A very special thank you goes to Sister Pat and all the sisters at UISG for their partnership in making today’s program possible.

As we get started, I’ll give you just a brief overview of today’s program.

Before we tune in to the ceremony in Washington, DC at 4:00, that is hosted by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and includes special remarks from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Sister Pat and I will discuss briefly the important contributions of women, including women religious, around the world and their work to make their communities safe, stable, and prosperous.

Then, at 5:00, Sister Alicia Vacas Moro, The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See’s International Woman of Courage honoree, will join us. So please, submit your questions for Sister Alicia in the chat box anytime during the ceremony.

Now let me just tell you about the award that Sister Alicia is being honored with today.

The International Women of Courage Award has been given annually by the U.S. Secretary of State for the last 15 years, and it honors women across the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others.

These recipients promote human rights, they address injustices, and they alleviate enormous challenges that too often disproportionately impact women. For example, during the excellent discussion this morning hosted by the Embassy of Australia to the Holy See, we heard from Sister Alessandra Smerilli about how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportional impact upon women.

The United States is committed to supporting women as leaders in the pursuit of peace and security. We believe that women’s meaningful participation is not simply a women’s issue. But it is, indeed, a global security issue that’s vital to the prosperity of societies everywhere.

Our commitment — that of the United States — to women’s empowerment is actually embodied within our National Security Strategy, and the Strategy recognizes the vital role of women in achieving lasting peace and global prosperity.

Although we know that women provide essential contributions to finding lasting solutions to conflict and to crisis—yet, still, their perspectives and their leadership too often are left untapped or overlooked.

Pope Francis knows that women are partners whose energies and ideas are essential in society. He’s undertaken initiatives and appointments to increase the representation of women’s views and to leverage their talent in the governing of the Church.

Diversity and inclusion make every organization stronger, smarter, and more creative; and so, it’s very encouraging to see the talents of more women religious and lay women — being utilized inside the Vatican to advance significant policies.

I hope that helps explain why the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See is so honored that Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro will receive the International Women of Courage award today, in just a few minutes.

For more than 20 years, Sister Alicia has served in war-torn communities in the Middle East, advocating for those who could not speak for themselves in places besieged by war and insecurity.

She worked as a registered nurse and a human rights advocate, fighting to empower women, educate children, and provide medical care in predominately Muslim communities.

From overseeing a healthcare facility in Egypt, working to improve the lives of Bedouin women and children, and caring for refugees escaping war and political conflict, Sister Alicia has dedicated her life to helping others.

She is one of the many inspiring women religious who work tirelessly to advance human dignity and freedom — some of whom will be introduced to you today. Sr. Alicia’s lifetime devotion to peace and justice, especially on behalf of the most vulnerable, is, to me, truly inspirational.

Our gathering today is also to emphasize a key point: Women religious are among the most effective and vital partners we have on the frontlines in fragile communities around the world.

They are often the last beacons of hope for millions of people who otherwise would have no voice.

They serve the displaced and the desperate and do so — frequently — at the enormous risk of harm to themselves, in places where governments have failed, and humanitarian organizations struggle to operate.

It has been an honor, for me, to meet and to work with so many incredible sisters here in Rome. I want to thank all of you, and all who join us today from around the world. And, a special thank you, of course, to Sister Alicia, for making the world a better, more peaceful place.

Thank you.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD 2021: SR PATRICIA MURRAY’S WORDS

It is with great pleasure that I join the Patrick Connell the Chargee D’ Affairs at the US Embassy to the Holy See at this Virtual Party Watch on the Occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the International Women of Courage Award.  I want to begin by sending good wishes to all the women who are following this live event. In your name I congratulate the 14 women who are being honored today from different parts of the world. We are particularly pleased here at the International Union of Superiors General to congratulate Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro who was nominated by the US Embassy to the Holy See.

During these past years through this Award Ceremony the US Embassy has helped to highlight the life and ministry of several women religious who have all served their people in very difficult and demanding contexts. These Sisters highlight the life commitment of thousands of other Catholic Sisters who have often left their own countries to meet the needs of those who are on the margins of life, to work for peace and reconciliation and to collaborate with many others to build bridges of profound respect and understanding so that life may flourish for each person and for all.

Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro, is another witness of that same generosity and lifelong commitment to those in need.  As a member of the Comboni Missionary Sisters and a registered nurse Sr. Alicia has worked in Egypt and Israel. Present at various stages among impoverished communities and among migrants and asylum seekers, particularly concerned for women and children, Sr. Alicia has worked to establish educational and other opportunities that empower people to live a more dignified life. These are the concrete steps that she has taken to help build a more just a peaceful society where the needs of the most vulnerable are not forgotten.  We know that the pandemic has increased the vulnerability countless women across the world. However women everywhere have shown great resilience in balancing work and family life while coping with the threat of infection. Let us remember today that women are leading the health response during this global pandemic s 70% of the social and health care workforce are women.

Sr. Alicia’s award today is particularly important as Pope Francis’ journey to Iraq concludes. He appeals to all of us to commit ourselves to fulfilling God’s dream that the human family may become hospitable and welcoming to all God’s children. He encourages us praying “that looking up to the same heaven, the human family will journey in peace on the same earth.” From experience we know that women are outstanding peace builders. One recent United Nations Report proclaimed that “From rubble, they rebuild. With singed scraps, they weave together the new fabric of a community, a country, and set the wounds of conflict on the long journey towards healing. This is the transformational work of women peacebuilders, leaders who work tirelessly to broker and keep peace, and rebuild their societies.”[1]

Now more than ever the voices and the actions of women need to be raised and listened to. Too often, media narratives portray women as vulnerable victims, failing to acknowledge their crucial work in bridging deep divides and mending their communities. In raising up Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro and other women, the International Women of Courage Award provides space for the voices of women, the voices of Catholic Sisters to be heard.

From many different parts of the world, alongside their suffering sisters and brothers, they advocate on behalf of those forgotten and marginalized. The writer Erin Morgenstern reminds us “You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.”[2] And so as we honor the recipients of this years’ International Women of Courage Award let us listen to their experiences, their stories and who knows what we might do because of their words, because of the witness of their lives.

Thank you very much.

©Sr. Pat Murray ibvm

[1] The power of women peacebuilders, UN Women, October 29, 2019.

[2] Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

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.@SecBlinken: For 15 years, the State Department has given the International #WomenofCourage award to women around the world who have shown exceptional strength and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, and gender equality – often at great risk to themselves. pic.twitter.com/et6ruJYTPt

— Department of State (@StateDept) March 9, 2021

 

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