From May 5 to 9, the 23rd Plenary Assembly of the UISG (International Union of Superiors General) took place in Rome at the Ergife Hotel. The event brought together more than 900 superiors general from 75 countries around the world. This year’s Assembly held special significance as it marked the 60th anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1965, created to offer women religious a space for dialogue and encounter within the Church.
The UISG has consistently promoted collaboration among women’s religious congregations, building bridges and networks across cultures and countries. Its mission is to foster communion by overcoming linguistic and geographic barriers and shaping a truly global community.
The theme of the 2025 Assembly, “Consecrated Life: A Hope That Transforms,” invited participants to reflect on the role of women religious as a tangible sign of hope and change in today’s world.
During the gathering, the new UISG president was elected: Sister Oonah O’Shea. Originally from Ireland and a citizen of Australia, she spent twenty years in the Philippines, where she founded a mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion.
The final statement described the Assembly as a network of “cords of hope,” uniting consecrated women from around the world, reflecting the light of the Gospel and supporting the Church’s mission today.
Also present was the Paoline Multimedia International book center, which featured a display offering publications in multiple languages in support of religious formation and culture.
