With headquarters in Benin City, Edo — an inland state in central southern Nigeria known for high rates of human trafficking — COSUDOW sets up projects and skill-acquisition programs that help reintegrate Nigerians who return home from Libya, Mali and European countries. Every six years, the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious holds elections in which a new congregation of the conference's 57 member communities is elected to run women's dignity committee. (Patrick Egwu), From left: Sr. Stella Agbawa, Sr. Margaret Ogbuja and Sr. Bibiana Emenaha of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Every month, she sent 500 to 1,000 euros back home to her family in Nigeria. The pages are filled with the names of the more than 6,000 sisters who make up 52 recognized congregations in Nigeria, which doesn't exactly make for gripping reading. 045-403874 : Benedictine Nuns (OSB) – Kylemore Abbey: Blessed Sacrament Sisters: The book has been very well received everywhere it has been introduced! Incestous brothers and sisters! Deaconesses play an important role in the mercy work of the church, and there are 438 commissioned deaconesses in the Lutheran Church of Nigeria. The Lutheran Church of Nigeria started in 1936 and has grown to 339 congregations in 38 districts with over 80,000 baptized members and 72 pastors. In 2015, she quit and decided to return home. Telephone: +234-55-94351 We try to change their mindset that they can be successful here in Nigeria without traveling abroad.". Since 2015, when Omoresewua returned to Nigeria, sisters from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have been helping her reintegrate back into society. RSM 38. Website: www.divinemercysisters.net Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate. They and other sisters from different congregations in Nigeria are fighting human trafficking through advocacy and creating awareness to dissuade young girls and women like Omoresewua from taking a dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, where they can be trafficked into prostitution or slavery. In 2002, they were joined by three other women, beginning formation of the HVM religious congregation in Nigeria. A new Mission opened in November 2011, when one Sister of Notre Dame de Namur joined with 14 other religious congregations in ministering to the people of the new nation of South Sudan. The Nigerian Conference of Women Religious (NCWR) is a body of Religious Congregations of women in the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria, who came together in a spirit of love and unity for the promotion of the work of evangelization, to give humanitarian services, including fighting against the modern day slavery of trafficking in women for forced prostitution, giving material and spiritual aid to victims of … PVMI 33. They want to travel abroad to help their families.". The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod began work in Nigeria in 1936 among the rural Ibesikpo clan and grew into The Lutheran Church of Nigeria, which became an LCMS partner church in 1963. Oblates Sisters of St. Benedict Joseph Labra . Religious Sisters of Charity. As with modern weddings, the couples have released pre-wedding photos and videos that were shared on social media … Despite the progress, the sisters face some challenges, especially lack of money for their projects. It may not be an exciting book, but the directory is much more than a simple list: it's a tool of empowerment that is enabling women religious to regulate and improve the organization of sisters across Nigeria. Since its founding in 2014, GSR has dedicated a section of its coverage to sisters who in various ways fight human trafficking. RMI 36. The sisters are blessed to serve ministries in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, and in nearby Gwagwalada, and in Ichama, Benue State, and in more remote outstation areas. This book is a much needed and appreciated addition to the work of handing on the faith.”, Sr. Lydia works with student on knitting machine at Sr. Mary Schutz Womens’ Empowerment Center, Sr. Clare (center) and Sr. Lydia (right) while doing home visits, Sr. Vivian (center) and Sr. Jennifer (left) visiting Fulani neighbors near Gwagwalada, Day care center at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria parrish, In March 2012, Sisters Home Visitors of Mary published a catechetical text book for Nigerian youth that introduces a new method of teaching doctrine based on Scripture and the actual life experiences of Nigerian children coupled with Catholic Catechism. FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Nigeria Province) 1. My brothers said I should not come back. Sisters Loveth, 23, and Gift, 25, share more than just the same parents - they are also passionate about ridding Nigerian society of the negative patriarchal practices that stifle the growth and well-being of women. Visit the website of our sisters in Nigeria. Daughters of Charity. This book will be a good source to inculturate the faith to our young people through bible-based catechesis accompanied with life stories which are the unique characteristics of the book. Since 2015, Sr. Bibiana Emenaha of Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul has been the coordinator at the Committee for the Support of Dignity of Women (COSUDOW), where she leads the advocacy and campaigns in fighting human trafficking in Nigeria. "As a congregation, our mission is service to the poor, and we know that poverty has a huge contribution toward the trafficking of young girls and women outside Nigeria," Ozuluoke said. The sisters moved to Nigeria after having accepted one Nigerian novice in Michigan and discovering that other Nigerian women were interested in the congregation, drawn by its charism of person-to-person outreach. Identical twin brothers are set to wed identical twin sisters in Kano, Nigeria and this has caused some bubbling excitement on the internet already. The 2000 Annuario Pontificio lists about 1 million persons in religious institutes worldwide. "We realized that a lot of the problems stem from the families because if the families are well managed and kept in one piece, it will invariably have effects on the society," said Nwaonuma, who headed COSUDOW from 1998 to 2008. Ozuluoke said the spiritual development of young people in the country is poor. Then after that, we begin to listen to their stories and counsel them — both religious and psychological counseling," she said. South Sudan. Returnees who opt to go back to school are offered scholarships by congregations like the Daughters of Charity in Turin, Italy. National and international networks of support. Franciscan Sisters Convent (Badagry) c/o Sacred Heart catholic Church, Badagry. "We monitor their recovery and make sure they are fine before we bring them back," Nwaonuma said. The woman threatened her that if she did not pay her back fully, she would be arrested. "They hear a lot of things through the media and group interaction, and they get indoctrinated," she said. The building serves as the only temporary shelter run by a Catholic organization in Nigeria for returnee migrants. Omoresewua made an agreement with the woman, who had promised her a better life in Europe: Omoresewua was to pay her 45,000 euros ($50,200) before she could gain her freedom. Other Languages. U.N. International Organization for Migration and other nonprofits fighting human trafficking like Slave No More, Solidarity With Women In Distress, Italian Union of Major Superiors and Caritas provide financial assistance to the returnees to start a business after the sisters have trained them. When faced with difficult cases, they refer people to a psychiatrist, who provides special services and recommends medication to stabilize them emotionally. "Presently, we have about 23 cases in court waiting for prosecution against offenders," said Nwaonuma, who was part of the committee that worked on the draft of the law. Archbishop John Cardinal Onoiyekan wrote: “I find OUR CATHOLIC FAITH: CATECHISM OF BASIC BELIEFS a good material for catechesis in our county for any diocese or parish. "We make them feel at home here and take them in as members of our family," Emenaha said. After two days, they come back here, and here is not a permanent place.". Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. ], Copyright © The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company | 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111 | 1-800-444-8910, Sr. Bibiana Emenaha of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul speaks to students in February at a rural school in Edo on the dangers of trafficking. Benin City, Nigeria — Editor's note: Global Sisters Report is focusing on the efforts of sisters to end human trafficking as Talitha Kum, the international anti-trafficking network of religious, marks its 10th anniversary and launches its Nuns Healing Hearts campaign. In 2017, the government passed an anti-trafficking law that punishes traffickers with prison terms and the sale of their properties, with the money going to the federal government. PHJC 35. The sisters are blessed to serve ministries in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, and in nearby Gwagwalada, and in Ichama, Benue State, and in more remote outstation areas. Since Omoresewua’s 2015 return to Nigeria, sisters from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have been helping her reintegrate into society. The church has supported and still supports all awareness raising programs in the fight against trafficking. When they arrive in Lagos, they stay for two days in a house given to us by Our Ladies of Apostles congregation. Daughters of Divine Love; New Evangelization Sisters of Mother of Perpetual Help) Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy Congregation; Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy Congregation; Holy Family Sisters of the Needy; Missionary Sisters of Divine Mercy, Nnewi, Nigeria. Dominican Sisters of Hope - The community formed in 1995 from the merger of three Dominican congregations: the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, NY (1883), the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena (1891) of Fall River, Massachusetts, and the Dominican Sisters of … 3. Sr. Florence Nwaonuma of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus runs Fullness of Life Counseling and Development Initiative, an anti-trafficking organization in Benin City that rehabilitates returnees and provides empowerment programs for them to earn a living. The majority of the more than 200 abducted schoolgirls, ages 16 to 18, were from EYN (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) although the group included both Muslim and Christian girls. Under the leadership of Msgr. Today, the LCMS supports theological education programs and partners with the LCN to carry out mission work in The Gambia and Jamaica, namely, through Alliance missionaries. Ministries include service as teachers, school administrators, catechetical leaders and youth ministers. In 2001, Sr. Barbara Dakoske and Sr. Elizabeth Harris moved to Nigeria from Detroit at the invitation of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, and began ministry of the Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria parish in Abuja. There are now 21 Nigerian Home Visitor Sisters and 15 Nigerian Home Visitor Associates. Catholic Missionary Union of England and Wales. "During Christmas, we bring them together for a fun time.". Since the inception of COSUDOW, more than 400 victims of trafficking have been rehabilitated, reintegrated and supported with funds to start their own businesses. "We provide some form of education because most of them cannot even write their names. Every week, Omorosewua visits the COSUDOW shelter, where she spends time with other returned victims. 31. (Patrick Egwu), National Catholic Reporter publications:Â, Committee for the Support of Dignity of Women, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Read again: 10 noteworthy stories from 2020, Here's what you spent the most time reading in 2020, 2020 in columns: The year COVID-19 dominated our lives, In a year of darkness and uncertainty, we are a people of hope, For refugee single moms, there's a place in Cleveland, A year for the 'creatively courageous' St. Joseph, Q & A with Sr. Terry Gauvin, Lumen Christi finalist for anti-trafficking work, Nuns try to fight lure of Europe by offering programs for young Nigerians, Nigerian Air Force honors sister who sacrificed her life to rescue students, In Edo State, advocates aim to engage the people in anti-trafficking fight, Sisters' school fills an education gap in rural Nigerian community, In Nigeria, Daughters of Divine Love give hope to abandoned children, After violence forced them to flee, Nigerian sisters rebuild ministry anew, Adorers help vulnerable women take back their dignity in Cape Verde, Freedom Sunday brings attention to human trafficking Sept. 25. I decided to return when an NGO in Spain paid for my flight," she said. Data were collected from 18 sister participants, who were purposefully recruited from two religious congregations across the different states of Nigeria. Focus on Human Trafficking - Sisters from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and other sisters from different congregations in Nigeria are fighting human trafficking through advocacy and creating awareness to dissuade young girls and women from taking a dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, where they can be trafficked into prostitution or slavery. [Patrick Egwu is a freelance journalist based in Nigeria. Sisters work at the Nigerian Catholic Secretariat and teach at the Home Visitors of Mary Theology Institute. 20 talking about this. Women . Catholic religious congregations founded in Nigeria. A contribution of $10.00 US will provide this book to a young student in Nigeria. 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