Magisterial Documents: Letter to Women – Beijing Conference

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Brief History

The United Nations held its Fourth Conference on Women in September 1995. In anticipation of the conference, Pope John Paul II released a letter commending those women who have demonstrated 'courageous initiative in defending the dignity of womanhood', in adverse circumstances. The pope appeals to states, nations, and international organizations to support efforts to better the situations and conditions in which women work and live. The letter devotes several paragraphs to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The pope states, "The church sees in Mary the highest expression of the feminine genius, and she finds in her a source of constant inspiration." [LWB 10]

Outline

Introduction

United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Theme: "Action for Equality, Development and Peace"
Solutions must be based on inherent dignity of women 2-3
A unique role in humanizing society 3-5
Women bear hardest burden of abortion 6-9

Source

AAS ; Origins 25:9 (July 27, 1995): 137-143
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© This material has been compiled by M. Jean Frisk.
Copyright is reserved for The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute.
Most recently updated in 2005.