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General Meeting Minutes from October 2026

Written by Jordan Taylor

Wednesday 14th October 7pm. This is Version 1 (23/10/26)

Speaking Attendees: 

Evelyne Brooks, Jacintha Bowe, Helen Burgess, Margaret Clark, Barbara Cookson, Fiona Dick, Fionnuala Frances, Anne Gilchrist, Siobhan Garibaldi, Jenny Hayward-Jones, AnneMcLaren, Maureen Meecher, Sue Petritz, Sophie Rudge, Jordan Taylor-Robinson, Janet Ward.

Apologies for Absence:

Abigail McMillan, Fiona Wraith, Judith Green, Susanne Kowal, Kath Stubbs, Maureen Ryan-Craig, Patricia Stoat

Administration:

  • Jacintha opened the meeting with a welcome and opening prayer.
  • The minutes of the 28th January meeting were reviewed.
  • The next general meeting date had not yet been confirmed.
  • The AGM was noted as scheduled for 2 June 2027.
    • A concern was raised that the date falls during half-term and could affect attendance.
  • The previous minutes were approved by Barbara Cookson and seconded by Jenny Hayward-Jones.

In-person day feedback:

  • Barbara Cookson reported on the in-person meeting held at CAFOD in London on 13 June with 19 women gathering and five new members. Thanks were expressed to CAFOD for hosting.
  • The programme included Helen’s presentation on women in the Church, Mass and a discussion about motherhood.
  • There was also a presentation on the NBCW Charitable Trust. This has now been closed, with its final grant transferred to NBCW. This removes the need for the separate administration arrangements.
  • The next in-person meeting was announced for 24 April 2027, with Dr Paula Gooder and lunch planned.
  • NBCW button badges were available at the meeting, the importance of identifying members was recognised and suggestions for alternatives are invited.

Updates:

  • Jacintha introduced her report, emphasising the importance of relationships and communication in leadership.
  • The Bishops’ Conference brought forward the deadline for the annual impact report from November to early September, requiring considerable work from the Executive and leadership teams.
  • The report assesses the previous year’s activities against NBCW’s objectives and was awaiting a response from the Bishops’ Conference.
  • Membership was reported at over 80 individual members and 10 groups, representing substantial growth since individual membership was introduced.
  • Six new Diocesan Links had been recruited, bringing the total to 13. Recruitment efforts continue, including work to find a replacement link for Southwark.
  • In the future Jacintha hopes to secure funding for diocesan days of reflection.
  • Relationships with Catholic and ecumenical organisations, including the Catholic Union, Pax Christi, Durham University and the Mothers’ Union were highlighted. As well as her Presidential participation in events, a podcast and the ecumenical Women’s Voice’s Conference.

Communications and Events:

  • Communications remain challenging across multiple platforms, but NBCW’s Facebook presence and media outreach have improved significantly.
  • Thanks were given to Jordan for website, communications and membership support, and to Abigail for her work on governance and media.
  • Attendance at Catholic Women Walking with Women varies according to the relevance of the topic to participants.
    • The next event, on 27 October, will feature Liz Dodd and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce.
  • The book club had also attracted strong attendance, with 16 participants at its previous session.
  • The monthly newsletter was praised as an effective way to engage both members and non-members. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the reflection at the top of the newsletter.

Forum Questions:

  • Bishop Bosco had read the responses and recognised their value. It is hoped they could contribute to national synodal feedback to Rome.
  • Members were encouraged to explore the School for Synodality resources and the diocesan assembly toolkit.
  • The two consultation questions explored women’s role in fostering a synodal Church and how parishes can become safe, welcoming spaces where women from different cultures can speak freely.
  • Responses highlighted concerns that women called to lay ministry can be held back by fellow parishioners and that formal recognition of women’s authority often lags behind their contribution to Church life.
  • Women expressed a desire for honest, compassionate conversation and the confidence to challenge constructively.
  • These discussions were presented as important to building a more missionary Church in which lay people, religious and clergy discern God’s will together.

WUCWO:

  • The meeting moved to the international report, focusing on the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO).
  • WUCWO’s international representation and its relationships with Church leadership and organisations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, the Human Rights Council and the Council of Europe were discussed.
  • The importance of Catholic women’s voices being heard in international organisations was emphasised.
  • The presentation described WUCWO’s World Women’s Observatory, established to give visibility to vulnerable women and promote their integral development.
  • The Observatory’s work on women’s rights and dignity was recognised internationally.
  • Key WUCWO resolutions included religious freedom, peace, the global food crisis, care for our common home, family life, motherhood and fatherhood, and support for migrants and refugees.
  • Formation, synodality and women’s participation were highlighted as priorities.
  • NBCW’s committees and working groups were recognised as valuable sources of information for international partners.
  • The contribution of Catholic women’s organisations and religious sisters to education, poverty reduction and women’s economic participation was highlighted.
  • Maureen explained that her term would end at the next WUCWO General Assembly in Madrid in 2027.
  • The three UK member organisations eligible to participate in choosing a successor were identified as the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) and NBCW.
  • It was agreed that the organisations should meet to discuss the appointment. Maureen was asked to convene a meeting, reviving the quarterly online meetings that had previously been intended but had not taken place for several years.

Forthcoming events:

  • Helen Burgess introduced the forthcoming programme, encouraging members to use the website and subscribe to the mailing list.
  • Members were asked to promote NBCW events through parishes, dioceses and personal networks to increase participation and membership.
  • Upcoming events highlighted included:
    • 27 October 2026: Catholic Women Walking with Women, featuring Liz Dodd and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce on sacred singlehood.
    • 12 November 2026: Professor Karen Kilby on the theological questions of womanhood, complementarity and essentialism.
    • 24 April 2027 at CAFOD in London: In-person event with Dr Paula Gooder
    • 27 November 2026: Walking with Grace: The Journey of Aging, exploring purpose, prayer, the sacraments and end-of-life care.