A seminar in Rome this week focuses on the women religious working in dangerous areas of war and conflict. Speakers include Callista Gingrich, US Ambassador to the Holy See.
The event is sponsored by the International Union of Superiors General and Solidarity with South Sudan and is hosted by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.
Among those attending the meeting at the UISG headquarters is Italian Sister Maria Elena Berini, named as recipient of the U.S. government’s 2018 International Women of Courage award, according to Vatican News Service.
In a recent column released through Catholic News Service, Ambassador Gingrich said that the work of religious such as Sister Berini is often underappreciated.
“For the past 10 years, Sister Berini has performed extraordinary acts of heroism from her Catholic mission in Bocaranga in the Central African Republic,” the ambassador said. “During the very worst periods of violence, when aid organizations recalled their staff and embassies evacuated their citizens, Sister Berini remained.
“Sister Berini’s incredible devotion to human dignity is born simply out of her faithful desire to serve. Sister Berini is one of many awe-inspiring women religious around the world. These women are often the last beacon of hope for countless people suffering from famine, disease, conflict, and repression.”
