Representatives of other Vatican Dicasteries also took part, including Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches; Msgr. Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; Fr. Aitor Jiménez, CMF, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Dr. Nataša Govekar, Theological-Pastoral Director of the Dicastery for Communication; and other officials from various Dicasteries.
The meeting offered the participants an opportunity to share experiences and expertise, to learn from one another, and to build strong networks that serve a common mission. Through Catholic Sisters, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and its partners provide, in various ways, concrete support for consecrated women who actively work to safeguard the dignity of the most vulnerable and foster a spirit of hope.
Addressing the participants, Sr. Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, PhD, Associate Vice President of Program Operations and Head of the Catholic Sisters Initiative, reported that more than 25 million people have benefited, directly or indirectly, from programs sponsored by funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
The core values of the projects include compassion, humility, integrity, responsible stewardship of resources, and forward-thinking leadership committed to prioritizing the fight against human trafficking, the prevention of gender-based violence, youth empowerment, care for elderly women religious, and the safeguarding of vulnerable people. In this regard, she emphasized that promoting a culture of safeguarding means creating safe environments and adopting measures aimed at protecting people from abuse, exploitation, violence, and every form of harm.
Also accompanying Sr. Alessandra Smerilli on this mission to Tanzania from the DPIHD were Fr. Dumisani Vilakati and Aiza Asi. After the Hilton Foundation meeting, the DPIHD representatives had the opportunity to visit the “Antonia Verna Rehabilitation Centre”, a social pastoral center run by the Congregation of the Sisters of Ivrea.
The center provides rehabilitation services for children and adults with disabilities and is committed to promoting an inclusive environment in which persons with disabilities can access quality services in health, education, and social integration in the Dar es Salaam region.
