Catholic religious sisters share global ministry with Queen Camilla in landmark meeting

Representatives of the International Union of Superiors General met with Queen Camilla to share the impact of their work over the past year, particularly with vulnerable women and girls.

Queen Camilla responded with “deep admiration” after listening to the stories of Catholic religious sisters working with vulnerable women and girls around the world in a landmark meeting on July 15 at Clarence House in London.

Representatives of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) met with the queen to share the impact of their work over the past year, with a particular focus on advancing dignity, protection, and opportunities for vulnerable women and girls.

Anabel Inge, MVO, charge’ d’affaires ad interim of the British Embassy to the Holy See, commented on the impact of the stories on Queen Camilla at the meeting.

“What struck me was how engaged Her Majesty was throughout the conversation,” Inge told EWTN News. “Many of the themes discussed clearly resonated. Her Majesty has consistently highlighted the importance of supporting women and girls, and this was a major focus.”

The meeting with the queen included conversations about efforts to accompany migrant women and strengthen communities in the U.K., education initiatives supporting children affected by conflict in Lebanon, antihuman trafficking work in Asia, and programs helping vulnerable women build livelihoods and improve food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Commenting on the meeting in a press release, the UISG said: “Her Majesty expressed deep admiration and humility regarding the global work Catholic sisters do to aid vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.”

“This renewed exchange underlined the strong alignment between the mission of Catholic sisters and Her Majesty’s long-standing commitment to supporting women and girls.”

Sisters from a range of ministries around the world joined in the meeting with Queen Camilla at Clarence House, including Sister Lynne Baron, FCJ, area leader of the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus in Britain and archbishop’s delegate for Catholic social action in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Baron was joined by Sister Roxanne Schares, SSND, executive secretary of UISG; Sister Maamalifar M. Poreku, MSOLA, co-executive secretary of the UISG-USG Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; and Sister Abby Avelino, MM, international coordinator of Talitha Kum.

Avelino drew attention to the Young Ambassadors Against Human Trafficking Programme, initially supported by the U.K. government and now expanded globally, which equips young people with the tools to identify risks, raise awareness, and lead peer-based prevention in their communities.

Describing young people as “protagonists of change,’” Avelino said: “In many countries, they are helping to build a culture of prevention, supporting their peers in recognizing the risks of exploitation and trafficking, and promoting a vision of society rooted in dignity, freedom, and solidarity.”

The meeting between the sisters and the queen came nine months after King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV in October 2025 in a historic ecumenical prayer service in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The prayer service marked the first time an English sovereign had prayed with a pope in 500 years.

“The meeting during Their Majesties’ state visit to the Holy See in 2025 reflected the long-standing and positive relationship between the Crown and the Holy See,” Inge said.

Inge hailed the latest meeting with the queen as “a valuable opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contribution sisters make around the world, particularly in supporting women and girls affected by poverty, conflict, displacement, and exploitation.”

She added: “What is distinctive about the sisters‘ contribution is that they are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. The tea was an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of that service, and the sisters’ personal stories helped to bring these important issues to life.”

A royal family post on X highlighted the visit with the sisters: “The Queen hosted Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG) who shared the impact of their global work, particularly in support of vulnerable women and girls … The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Sisters to support women living in conditions of conflict, poverty, and displacement across the world.”