ARCHBISHOP ANYOLO CAUTIONS CWA WOMEN AGAINST REDUCING CWA TO A SOCIAL OR WELFARE ORGANISATION
Archbishop Philip Anyolo has cautioned Catholic Women Association (CWA) members in the Archdiocese of Nairobi against reducing the association to a social or welfare organization stressing that while mutual assistance was an important expression of Christian solidarity, the association’s primary identity remained rooted in faith, prayer, service and participation in the mission of the Church.
This was emphasized during the celebration of the associations St. Monica Feast held at St. Mary’s Msongari grounds, Nairobi, with more than 15,000 CWA members in attendance.
The almost filled field fell in silence as, His Grace congratulated their big turn up but also urged that their numerical growth alone was not enough if it was not accompanied by a stronger commitment to Christian life and apostolic mission.
“Growth in number must always be accompanied by growth in faith, growth in holiness, formation and apostolic commitment and service,” he said.
The vibrant day saw more than 6,038 new CWA members formally admitted into the association at the diocesan level. In his speech, the Metropolitan Ordinary, however, reminded the newly admitted members that receiving the CWA uniform was not the completion of their journey but the beginning of a deeper commitment to Christ, the Church, their families and society.
He challenged the women to remain vigilant in their different vocations and responsibilities as mothers, wives, grandmothers, professionals, businesswomen, catechists, pastoral workers and leaders.
Archbishop Anyolo particularly urged the CWA members to safeguard the Christian identity of their families at a time when secular influences increasingly shape society and to ensure that the growing membership of the association translates into deeper faith, holiness, formation and service to the Church and society.
He further called on CWA leaders to uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of Church resources. To the new leaders, he called for proper maintenance of financial records, clear reports and observance of already established Church financial procedures, reminding them that members’ contributions were a sacred trust entrusted to leaders for the benefit of the Church and its members.
Reflecting on the life of St. Monica, Archbishop Anyolo encouraged the women to draw inspiration from her perseverance in prayer, particularly amid difficulties in her marriage and the spiritual struggles of her son, St. Augustine.
The Archbishop’s message was echoed by CWA Chaplain Fr. Fredrick Chege, who, in the homily, urged the women not to conform to negative influences from secular society but to remain faithful to their Christian calling.
“Do not copy things of the world. We are called to be different, to live a new life,” Fr. Chege said.
The celebrations also featured a session led by Fr. Prof. Lawrence on the life and spirituality of the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga. He encouraged the women to pray for their children, recognizing the role of prayer in nurturing future generations, and urged them to pray for the cause of Cardinal Otunga’s canonization.
The celebration brought together more than 15,000 CWA members from the Archdiocese’s 127 parishes, accompanied by their parish chaplains.
