Catholic Women's League Centenary Celebrations
[Below is a copy of the 'Narrative'
which was presented at the CWLA-NSW State Conference.
The Narrative was read by Anne Walsh and CWL Members presented
"tableaux" representing various 'episodes' in
the history of CWL]
NARRATIVE: This year marks the Centenary of
the Catholic Women's League of England and Wales.
It was founded by Margaret Fletcher in 1906.
She was the daughter of an Anglican Clergyman but was received
into the Catholic Church in 1897.
Inspiration for the establishment of the English League came
from a paper read by Margaret Fletcher at a meeting of the
Catholic Ladies' Conference in July 1906, on the work of the
German Frauenbund and similar associations on the
continent.
Approval for the establishment of an English league was obtained
from the Archbishop of Westminster.
A provisional committee met for the first time in 1906 in Brighton on the south coast of England. Miss Fletcher became the first President, Miss Wyatt Papworth, the Treasurer and Miss Ada Stueter, the Secretary. By 1909 the League had over 1000 members in London and a number of flourishing branches elsewhere.
Although the English league was established with the initial purpose of co - ordinating Catholic women's charitable work, it also advocated an enhanced role for Catholic women within the Church and undertook an ambitious programme of education and social reform.
In the 1910's, London was the scene for a series of increasingly violent protests by women demanding the extension of the vote. The Catholic Women's League was entirely independent of party politics. The League did not consist of suffragettes in disguise. Neither did it consist of anti - suffragettes in disguise. Every variety of political opinion was undoubtedly represented by the members but in all matters pertaining to the work of the League, they kept their own political convictions resolutely to themselves. The official voice of the league spoke of things Catholic and of them alone.
Impact of the First World War
Meanwhile up to 1914, the League was making headway slowly
against misunderstanding and prejudice. It was pledged to break
new ground in any direction authority should suggest. The
approval and encouragement of the Holy See, the permission of
Bishops (and in a few years nearly all had allowed CWL into their
dioceses) did not constitute a passport to parishes.
As no meeting of Catholics could be held in a parish area without
permission of the Priest in charge of that parish, progress was
very slow, especially when adults were still being warned in some
confessionals from joining so dangerous a movement as the
Catholic Women's League!
When World War One (WW1)was declared, the CWL office was
closed and all but one member was on holidays. She contacted
Cardinal Bourne to know what services the league could render. An
avalanche of work descended.
An appeal went out from the Cardinal for voluntary women workers
and the task of sorting the volunteers, grouping them and
allotting their duties was given to CWL.
In no time a CWL Volunteer Corps of Catholic fully trained nurses
when out to Belgium and a week later another to Paris. Classes in
nursing and First Aid and work parties connected with the Red
Cross were arranged.
As well, behind the lines of active work there were circles of prayer, chains of rosaries and perpetual watches before the Blessed Sacrament.
Formation of National Committee
A national committee was formed to deal with refugees. French
and Flemish speaking members were installed in the offices and
for 3 months from 8am to after midnight a piteous stream of
refugees poured in; 27 secretaries were employed. The nuns were
placed in CWL's care and now CWL became the intermediary
between the Belgium and English convents.
A simple telegram "we come" was received one day - no
hint of numbers or identity.
More than 700 Belgium women and children arrived. The committee
immediately received over 500 offers of hospitality and members
of one branch offered 5 houses.
It would be impossible to give a picture of the total amount
of the League's far flung war work.
A huge achievement was the "Hut Work" in England and
abroad. Many of these Huts were built by CWL and appointed by
generous donors, others by the Canadian government and several
the newly formed Catholic Huts Council.
These huts were primarily for rest and recreation for soldiers of
all creeds but in the CWL's huts there was provision for the
spiritual needs of the men as well - unlike some others which
were just hospitality.
The work, the hours and the strain were very strenuous and
photographs and details were afterwards lodged in the National
War Museum.
Catholic women could feel at last that they were right in the
heart of national life, old suspicions put aside, their
patriotism and their competence fully valued.
CWL also helped organized the post war relief work in many
European countries.
Catholic Women's League in Australia
In 1913 a British migrant newly arrived in Australia raised the need for a Catholic Women's Club in Sydney similar to those in the UK.
The Catholic Women's Association (CWA) was established
with considerable idealism in 1913. It was intended to provide
the Catholic women of Sydney with a new sort of society.
Many of the ideals of the English CWL were part of the discussion
during the setting up of the CWA Sydney.
The inaugural meeting was held in April 1913 and according to
press reports it was attended by over 100 women who enrolled as
members.
Mrs Esther Cannon became the first President. She received the patronage and approval of Archbishop Kelly in Sydney. However, the Archbishop had his own ideas on what such an organization would do. He gave them a donation to go towards a hostel for Catholic business girls in the city. Although not entirely in agreement with his stipulation, the women acknowledged that the hostel would give them credibility in the eyes of the Sydney hierarchy.
In deciding on a programme of activity the CWA was influenced by the English Catholic League with its combination of recreational and educational classes with some charitable work.
In 1914 during WW1 at the request of the NSW Governor's wife Lady Edelene Strickland, who for a short time was patron/president of CWA, they formed themselves into a unit of the Red Cross.
First Australian Conference of Catholic Women
With the advent of the Eucharistic Congress in 1928 the CWA
convened the first Australian conference of Catholic Women,
attended by representatives of Sydney's CWA, Victoria's
Catholic Women's Social Guild, Queensland's Catholic
Daughters of Australia and the Catholic Women's League of
South Australia.
A loose confederation was formed under the umbrella of the
Federated Council of Catholic Women.
During World War Two (WW2) the CWA together with other women's organizations within the church became part of the Catholic United Services Auxiliary, (CUSA).
In 1941, the CWA was replaced by the Sydney Legion of Catholic Women. The motto "For God and Country" was adopted from CUSA.
At the end of WW2, the Sydney Legion of Catholic Women started moves to affiliate with the International Union of Catholic Women's Leagues. The English League was a foundation member of the World Union of Catholic Women's organizations (WUCWO) which is affiliated in over 100 women's organizations in 5 continents.
In April 1953, the National Eucharistic Congress was held in Sydney and The Legion was given considerable responsibilities and a high profile. Katy Burrows was President at this time. Representatives of Catholic women's organizations all over the world and throughout Australia attended as special guests of The Legion of Catholic Women.
Mrs HP Swan, National President of the Catholic Women's League of England and Wales presented a beautifully illuminated letter of greeting from the CWL of England and Wales to the Catholic Women in the Sydney Archdiocese. A Catholic women's convention attended by prominent Catholic women from all parts of Australia and New Zealand was held. Mrs Swan addressed this convention.
Katy Burrows resigned as President in 1959 and Mrs Phyl Chandler was elected. The name of the official organization in Sydney was changed to the Catholic Women's League. This was the more general name for Catholic Women's organizations throughout the world. It was also the name used in most dioceses in Australia.
CWL under Phyl Chandler saw control and direction of the league being handed back to its central council and members. In her 1961 President's report, Mrs Chandler stressed the aims of the organization: "To promote the spiritual, cultural and educational interests of Catholic Women - to spread the faith by example and works of charity and co - operate with other voluntary organizations in community service".
In 2006, 100 years after Margaret Fletcher established the English League, many similarities exist between it and its Australian counterpart. CWL members are encouraged to work both in the parish and in the community with activities such as parish work, visiting the sick, ecumenism, support for other charities and fundraising for charities together with holding and taking part in social functions.
Social justice issues, bioethics, overseas aid, submissions to governments and lobbying the United Nations are all part of the charter of each organization. Representation at United Nations level and affiliation with other non governmental organizations is also undertaken making the voices of women heard at all world wide conferences where decisions and policies are made which concern them.
Catholic Women's League works across all levels of society and provides a voice for Catholic women in church and society. Social and moral issues affecting family life, particularly of women and children are addressed. Family values and equality for all in the areas of health education, economic and social welfare are promoted. CWL works collaboratively with church leaders to fulfill the mission of the church, especially in areas of social justice.
Throughout NSW Catholic Women's League is active in the following dioceses:
Armidale; Bathurst; Broken Bay; Lismore; Maitland/Newcastle; Parramatta; Archdiocese of Sydney; Wollongong
Throughout Australia Catholic Women's League is an incorporated organization and has branches in every State and in the Australian Capital Territory.
Margaret
Fletcher's original dream of a women's organization being
active at local, diocesan, national and international levels has
come to fruition.
We salute some of the women who made it possible.
