SaskatoonCWL_05_05

Saskatoon CWL looks at nuclear waste

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski

SASKATOON — CWL members from across the Saskatoon diocese gathered on the feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel April 26 for the 75th annual diocesan convention of the Catholic Women’s League.

The diocesan convention, held at St. Patrick Parish Centre in Saskatoon, included annual reports from standing committee chairs; a keynote by guest speaker Bishop Murray Chatlain, originally from Saskatoon and now bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith (see related article); discussion and approval of a resolution related to nuclear waste; and the election of a new diocesan executive; as well as celebration of the eucharist and an evening banquet.

Delegates to the convention approved a resolution calling for broad consultation on nuclear waste storage. The preamble to the resolution noted that, in the 2009 Perrins Report on the future of uranium in Saskatchewan, 86 per cent of 900 responses were strongly opposed to nuclear fuel waste being stored or disposed of in Saskatchewan.

The resolution urges the provincial government “to structure a nuclear fuel waste management committee representing all of the stakeholders” that would include representation from a broad spectrum of the public, and that this committee “consider the feasibility of long term storage of nuclear waste and the possible ramifications of such storage to the public at large.”

In discussion about the resolution, submitted by the CWL council from St. James Parish in Wilkie, league members noted the CWL’s history of expressing concern about the nuclear issue in past resolutions, including a 1993 resolution urging the government to ban the import of any out-of-province waste into Saskatchewan. Members heard that if the new resolution about nuclear waste is approved at the provincial CWL convention and is presented to government, the content of past resolutions about the issue can again be brought forward.

The diocesan resolution will now be submitted for consideration at the provincial CWL convention May 31 - June 1 in Saskatoon.

The diocesan gathering included reflections on the national theme, “women of peace and hope,” in a number of presentations and reports. Two areas of focus under this theme have been palliative care for the dying and providing welcome to the stranger.

“I thought of many of our councils celebrating our theme through working in and supporting palliative care and reaching out to new citizens to make them welcome to our beautiful country,” said outgoing diocesan CWL president Margaret Schwab.

Spiritual adviser Sister Juliana Heisler gave a reflection about the peace offered by Jesus, who after his resurrection came through locked doors to breathe his peace on the disciples. “His peace will break through their fear,” she said.

“Being a peacemaker does not allow us to look the other way and not get involved. Jesus has given us his peace so we would be unafraid to step out in faith,”

Members applauded news of the recent defeat in parliament of a private members bill to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Nicole Pyle of Saskatchewan Pro-Life made a presentation about the upcoming March for Life May 6 at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Tony Haynes of the diocesan Office for Justice and Peace gave an update about the Station 20 West project in Saskatoon, which is working to raise the final funds needed to begin construction of the integrated service centre that will house a grocery co-operative as well as community and health outreach services. Haynes described some of the grassroots fundraising that is happening and encouraged those concerned about conditions on 20th Street in Saskatoon to get involved.

The new diocesan CWL executive includes president Susan Melchiorre, past-president Margaret Schwab, president-elect Ruth Hiebert (organization); first vice-president Frances Stang (spiritual); second vice-president Alice Risling (Christian family life); treasurer Marlene Van Dressor; recording secretary Chris Lang; and corresponding secretary Adele Giblin. Standing committee chairs are Jean Scott (community life); Wanda Graham (communication); Beatrice Wacholtz (resolutions); Ingrid Eggerman (health and education); Marie Vogelgesang (legislation); Heisler (spiritual adviser) and councillors Heather Kolla and Claire Heron.