League 'Carries Weight’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31360, 4 May 1967, Page 2

League 'Carries Weight’

At a time when the laity was asking to be heard and the Church was anxious to hear it the voice of the Catholic Women’s League carried tremendous weight, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby), told the Christchurch diocesan conference of the league yesterday morning.

“Yours is the authentic voice of Catholic womanhood in this country and it can be heard more clearly on all fronts affecting your existence in the church and the community,” he said. “In this post-conciliar era your views must be even more responsible for you represent the cream of Catholic womanhood and, of course, your better halves who don’t get a chance to express them-

selves on the national front but don’t hesitate to do so over the table.”

The League's willingness to co-operate with the Lay Apostolate Co-ordinating Committee was commendable. "The Lay Apostolate have opened your eyes and helped stream-line your activities,” he said.

“The fact that you have allowed your voice to be submerged occasionally is also proof of your humility. We don’t want a triumphant laity when the church officially pronounces itself as the servant of the people.” This was a cataclysmic year for the league because its representative at the world congress of Lay Apostolate in Rome would have much to give the league on her return and it must be open to new. streams of thought “You must make sure you send your delegate away well Informed so she will be able to speak on the work and the problems facing New Zealand,” said the Bishop.

The league’s national president (Mrs J. C. Lang) will be the delegate, assisted by Mrs M. Easton, a member of the Hastings branch. They will also attend the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations in Rome.