“The CWL is alive and very very well in Canada,” said the organization’s National President Barbara Dowding in her address to the Saskatchewan Catholic Women’s League annual convention held June 1-2 here at Resurrection parish. In a later interview with the PM she said she was referring to attendance and enthusiasm she observed at the provincial conventions she has attended as President. “We have fewer councils and members. With churches closing and people moving out of smaller centres we have lost Councils, but the enthusiasm and participation remains strong,” she said. It’s a sentiment repeated by outgoing Saskatchewan CWL President Marge Szabo. “Churches are closing and members move to larger councils,” said Szabo. A national recruitment program, Catch the Fire, is continuing said Dowding and has been successful in recruiting new members.
In her address Dowding referred to recent Supreme Court decisions that struck down laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide. “What are we going to do about attacks on our conscience,” she asked delegates. She decried society’s individualism, materialism and entitlement that seem to be the norm. “We are called to be against the world order,” said Dowding. She, like many speakers in the last couple of years, quoted Pope Francis to support her views.
The national executive met with then Justice Minister Peter Mckay and while the Minister listened he said the government had no intentions of using the Not Withstanding clause in the constitution to overrule the Supreme Court’s ruling. He did promise there would be wide consultation before any legislation is brought to the House. The Supreme Court gave the government one year to come up with acceptable legislation to govern euthanasia and assisted suicide otherwise it would be struck from the criminal law. Dowding said a national palliative care program is needed. “If we’re going to offer ways for people to die we have to offer them the ways to live,” she said.
The convention elected a new executive who will be in office for two years.
Marge Szabo becomes immediate Past President as Jean Reader moves to the president’s chair and Margaret Schwab becomes President Elect and will take office in 2017. Schwab also becomes Coordinator for Organization. Chantal Devine was elected 1st Vice President and the 2nd Vice President position was not filled. Connie Crichton remains as Treasurer. Chantal Devine also adds Spiritual Development to her portfolio and Janette Rieger added Corresponding Secretary to her responsibilities as Recording Secretary. Helen Kayfish takes over Communications from Chantal Devine and Marian Szonbers is the new Christian Life Coordinator. Theresa Synkiw is the new Coordinator for Community Life and Rita Hengen takes over Resolutions and Legislation from Susan Melchiorre and Melchiorre moves to Health and Education. Father Pius Schroh becomes Spiritual Advisor taking over from Father F. Hengen.
