Dignity and Equality
The Catholic Women’s Council (CWC) –
a unique agile movement of Catholic women for #EqualDignityEqualRights
The Movement of the Catholic Women’s Council (CWC)
The CWC movement has opened spaces for Catholic women* in many countries around the world to articulate their experiences and form new networks of like-minded people. Within these networks, the fundamental prerequisite for a credible Catholic Church is being lived out in order to carry the vision of #EqualDignityEqualRights across all continents.
The Catholic Women’s Council (CWC) project connects people, groups, and institutions worldwide that advocate for and already live the vision of #EqualDignityEqualRights within the Roman Catholic Church, regardless of their culture. CWC fosters exchange among Catholics, religious communities, Catholic women’s organizations, and liberal Catholic organizations in all regions of the world. It makes visible their concerns, scientific and theological insights, women’s vocations to priestly ministry, and demands for participation at all decision-making levels.
CWC creates spaces for Catholic women* in many countries around the world to express their experiences and build new networks of like-minded people. Within these networks, the fundamental prerequisite for a credible Catholic Church is lived out in order to carry the vision of #EqualDignityEqualRights across all continents.
The Organisation of CWC
1. Officially Recognized Non-Profit Association CWC as Strategic Level and Financial Oversight
The supporting association Catholic Women’s Council, abbreviated as Supporting Association CWC, was founded on August 26, 2021, in Lucerne as an association under Swiss Civil Code law. It is recognized as a non-profit organization and exempt from taxes by the state tax authorities of the Canton of Lucerne. Private donations may be tax-deductible depending on the regulations of individual countries.
Organizational structure, procedures, responsibilities, and accountability are anchored in the statutes adopted and enacted at the founding of the Supporting Association CWC on August 26, 2021.
The official bodies of the Supporting Association CWC are:
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General Assembly
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Executive Board
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Auditing Authority
The purpose of the supporting association is to ensure financing as well as personnel and ideological support for the CWC movement. Members work voluntarily without any compensation. The Supporting Association CWC is required to prepare an annual report on its activities and finances. This report is approved by the General Assembly and made available to stakeholders.
The following women are represented on the association board:
Simone Curau-Aepli
Switzerland, representative of the Swiss Women’s Federation, Chair
Dr. Franziska Zen Ruffinen
Switzerland, representative of the Executive Board
Vacant
The third seat is currently vacant.
2. MAGDALENA-CENT Project
The supporting association has formulated the following vision for continuity and further development:
CWC is supported ideologically and financially by individuals and organizations worldwide. In the spirit of Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles, we as women in CWC carry out apostolic work. To this end, the Magdalena-Cent is being introduced. Similar to Peter’s Pence, it will be collected worldwide once a year during church services in parishes, religious orders, associations, federations, and organizations. Unlike Peter’s Pence, the Magdalena-Cent benefits active women in the Catholic Church who are committed to #EqualDignityEqualRights. The fund is administered by the Supporting Association CWC and used according to its regulations.
A project group called “MAGDALENA CENT” has been working since 2025. The Magdalena-Cent will be introduced in 2026.
3. Executive Board of the CWC Movement
Responsibilities of the Executive Board
The CWC project is strategically led by the global volunteer-based CWC Executive Board, in which appointed individuals from all continents are represented.
The Executive Board distributes tasks among members according to expertise and available time resources.
Its responsibilities include:
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Developing and implementing the strategic direction of the CWC movement
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Developing and organizing operational measures
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Internal and external communication with member organizations and independent supporters through the website, social media channels, physical and digital meetings, and personal contacts, supported by the administrative leadership
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Seeking and contacting new organizations to expand membership
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Deciding on the admission of new member organizations
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Preparing the budget for the Supporting Association Board and ensuring compliance with budget guidelines
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Developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation tools for ongoing development
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Organizing events to disseminate and strengthen the normative truth of #EqualDignityEqualRights
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Promoting activities of individual members and organizations
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Encouraging the formation of new networks
The work of the Executive Board takes place primarily online. In 2021, 2023, and 2024, physical meetings in Rome strengthened relationships within the large CWC family. Further meetings are planned.
The Executive Board constitutes itself independently while ensuring balanced representation of different cultures and all continents.
Members of the Executive Board 2026:
Africa: Nontando Hadebe (South Africa), Philomena Mwaura (Kenya), Annastacia Mphuti (South Africa)
Asia: Virginia Saldanha (India), Chair; Kochurani Abraham (India)
Australia / New Zealand: Pia Ford (Western Australia)
Europe: Franziska Zen Ruffinen (Switzerland), Regina Franken-Wendelstorf (Germany), Patrizia Morgante (Italy), Mary Varley (England)
Latin America / Caribbean: Teresa Casillas Fiori (Argentina/Spain), Olga Consuela Vélez Caro (Colombia)
North America / Canada: Kate McElwee (USA)
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4. Administration and Communication for the Strategic and Operational Levels
Administrative leadership is carried out by Rachael Alphonso. She provides competent support and expertise for the organizational and substantive development of CWC. This includes website and social media management, listening sessions, expert reports and media work, and technical support.
Rachael Alphonso, from India, is a Nutritionist & A Dietician who is working on earning her doctorate on the topic of food security and climate change. With her experience as a researcher and advocate for human rights and social justice in her community, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective based on theology, ethics, and statistics. In her work, she applies evidence-based approaches to promote intercultural understanding and bridge ideological divides.
Project-Related Tasks
These tasks are compensated according to workload.
Individual members and representatives of member organizations provide technical and project-related support. Special mention should be made of the group of young women in CWC, including Alina Erni (Switzerland) and Marlies Prinz (Austria).
