London: Queen Camilla met representatives of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) at Clarence House on Wednesday, listening to moving accounts of how Catholic sisters continue to support vulnerable people in some of the world's most difficult regions. The meeting highlighted the work of women religious who are helping victims of war, human trafficking, poverty and climate related hardships while remaining close to communities facing daily struggles.
The visit came less than a year after Queen Camilla first met representatives of the UISG during the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Holy See. This latest audience reflected the Queen's continued interest in the humanitarian work carried out by Catholic sisters across the globe and their efforts to protect the dignity of women, children and vulnerable families.
The discussions also underlined the ongoing cooperation between the UISG and the British Embassy to the Holy See, which has been supporting projects aimed at promoting human dignity, resilience and protection for those most at risk.
Dr Anabel Inge, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the British Embassy to the Holy See, described the meeting as a joyful and meaningful occasion. She said the invitation to Clarence House showed the Queen's deep respect and appreciation for the work of Catholic sisters.
Dr Inge noted that for years she has witnessed the sisters carrying out their mission quietly and with great humility, often serving in dangerous places without seeking recognition. She said their strength lies in the trust they build within local communities, their constant presence and their commitment to staying with people even during times of conflict. According to her, many sisters continue their work despite facing serious personal risks because they believe their communities should never be abandoned.
Sister Roxanne Schares, Executive Secretary of the UISG, said the meeting provided an opportunity to speak about thousands of Catholic sisters serving around the world. Whether working in schools, universities, hospitals, social services or parish ministries, she said the sisters offer comfort, hope and encouragement wherever they serve.
She shared stories from sisters working in Ukraine, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict continues to affect millions of people. One particularly emotional story involved a sister in Ukraine who gathered frightened children in a basement during bombing attacks and read passages from Scripture aloud to help calm them. The reading, she explained, gave the children another voice to focus on instead of the sounds of explosions.
According to Sister Roxanne, Queen Camilla listened carefully to these personal stories and was deeply touched by the courage shown by the sisters. She said the Queen's compassionate listening demonstrated her desire to support their mission in her own way.
Human trafficking was another major topic during the meeting. Sister Abby Avelino, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum, the worldwide network of Catholic sisters working against human trafficking, explained how criminal networks are increasingly targeting young people through online scams and fake job offers.
She said Talitha Kum has responded by training young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 to become Youth Ambassadors Against Human Trafficking. The programme, which first began in Asia with support from the British Embassy to the Holy See, has now expanded to many countries. These young ambassadors educate their peers about the dangers of trafficking and help prevent exploitation before it happens.
Talitha Kum now operates through 68 national and regional networks in more than 110 countries. During 2025, the network reached about 1.2 million people through prevention campaigns, education, advocacy, protection efforts and support for trafficking survivors.
Sister Abby stressed that behind every statistic is a real human story. She recalled meeting a survivor of human trafficking who, after escaping exploitation, now dedicates her life to protecting other young people from suffering the same experience.
Climate change was also discussed during the audience. Sister Maamalifar Poreku, Executive Co Secretary of the UISG USG Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, explained how changing weather patterns, prolonged droughts and severe floods are forcing many families to leave their homes.
She said climate change is creating a chain of problems. As people lose their livelihoods and migrate in search of work or safety, many become vulnerable to traffickers who exploit their difficult circumstances. Women, girls and young people are often the hardest hit.
To break this cycle, Catholic sisters are helping communities through environmental education, sustainable farming methods and income generating projects that allow women to earn a living while keeping their children in school.
Looking ahead, Sister Roxanne said lasting solutions require tackling the root causes of injustice rather than simply responding to emergencies. She said the UISG continues to invest in leadership training, advocacy and stronger cooperation among Catholic sisters around the world so they can respond more effectively to today's global challenges.
The meeting at Clarence House also demonstrated the importance of partnerships between governments, religious organisations and civil society in protecting human dignity. Concluding the gathering, Sister Abby echoed the message of Pope Leo XIV, saying that no individual or organisation can defeat human trafficking alone and that cooperation remains the most powerful tool in protecting vulnerable people around the world.