By Sr. Jane Nway Nway Ei

From June 17 to 20, 2025, I had the privilege not only of attending but also serving as an organizing team member for the International Safeguarding Conference (ISC) held at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Under the theme “Women of Faith, Women of Strength,” the safeguarding conference brought together voices of resilience, faith, and strength from women and men around the globe. It was a unique platform where stories of courage and determination were shared, and the vital role of women in safeguarding was celebrated.

During the conference, I was prompted to reflect on my own calling and the message I convey during the safeguarding journey. Being a woman, I give thanks to all women, including myself, who choose life for themselves and others. I believe the charism and mission of our Congregation is to give life and dignity to every person we encounter. I would call this the safeguarding mission of our congregation.

Throughout the four days, presentations highlighted some of the most pressing issues. These included abuse of women and girls in conflict zones, internal abuse to women religious within religious institutions, spiritual and power abuses through the inappropriate use of the vow of obedience, women as perpetrators, ethical challenges in leadership, and the critical need for greater safeguarding awareness in formation houses, seminaries, and parishes.

A key takeaway for me was the responsibility to reflect on these realities, not only as an observer but with the empathy and urgency of someone who is a victim or a survivor.

What can we do to ensure that told or untold stories of suffering are heard and addressed? How can we commit to aligning our Congregation’s safeguarding mission with Gospel values? These are the questions I carried with me, questions I believe all of us in ministry must continually reflect on.

I had the privilege of chairing Session 1 on Day 2, which focused on the varied contexts of violence, including war, trafficking, and migration. Together with keynote speakers Sr. Teodora Shulak, Sr. Abby Avelino, and Sr. Veronica Openibo, we engaged in a deeply insightful dialogue about global realities. Their reflections were a timely call to respond with courage, compassion, and decisive action.

One particularly moving moment for me was the opening address by Sr. Simona Brambilla, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Her words resonated deeply, as she said:

“Women embody the sacred art of weaving with God and in God. They weave body, they weave thoughts, feelings, sensibilities, desires, dreams, and hopes. They weave bonds, they weave bridges, and they weave safe places, fashioning tents within which one can rest, regain strength, and find shelter from sun and rain.”

This image of women as “weavers” of safety and hope captured the essence of what we came together to accomplish during the conference. We were reminded of our sacred roles as women working in faith and strength to build a culture of safeguarding. Whether the thread is spun in war zones, within institutions, or through grassroots advocacy, we carry a collective responsibility to create spaces of restoration, protection, and justice.

Un Appel à l'Action 

To carry forward the transformative spirit of ISC 2025, we must ask ourselves:

Are we willing to listen to voices of pain and untold stories with humility and care? 

How can we challenge harmful structures and attitudes while remaining rooted in Gospel values? 

What role can ethical leadership play in paving the way for systemic change in the Church and beyond? 

The answers lie in our collective resolve to weave bridges of faith, fortitude, and justice, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. We are called not just to dream of a better world but to actively walk alongside the vulnerable, saying “oui” to life and safeguarding their dignity without losing sight of our core values and identities.

The ISC 2025 was not just a gathering; it was a movement of faith in action. Together, we reaffirmed our responsibility to foster a safer world for all, one thread at a time.

Photographs used with the kind permission of IADC – ISC