Sr Guilhermina Marçal, a Canossian Daughter of Charity, belongs to the community of Balide in Dili, Timor-Leste. Actively engaged in parish pastoral ministry, she also serves as Director of Family Ministry for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Dili and as Coordinator of Family Ministry for the Timorese Episcopal Conference (CET).
In her ministry as a Daughter of Charity and servant of the poor, Sr Guilhermina is particularly committed to promoting human dignity and defending the rights of the most vulnerable, especially women and children. Through her pastoral and social work, she speaks out against domestic violence and social injustice, working closely with poor and marginalised communities.
Sr Guilhermina has been invited to participate in the Oceania Teams Gathering, which will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, on the occasion of the International Conference on Social Movements, Civil Society, and Human Rights, to be held from 19 to 23 March 2026.
The International Conference on Social Movements, Civil Society, and Human Rights is a global gathering that brings together scholars, social practitioners and representatives of civil society engaged in promoting social justice and the protection of human rights.
The conference seeks to foster the exchange of experiences and research concerning social movements and the role of civil society in building more just and inclusive societies. Among the themes addressed are the protection of fundamental rights, civic participation, social justice, and the promotion of the dignity of individuals and families, with particular attention given to vulnerable communities.
The gathering at the end of March will offer an important opportunity for sharing, formation and growth for team leaders across the Oceania region. It will provide a space for dialogue and reflection on the life and mission of the Movement both within the region and worldwide. Particular attention will be given to the promotion of human rights and to the vitality of family life across the world.
Sr Guilhermina’s participation also reflects the broader commitment of the Canossian Daughters of Charity to the promotion of justice, peace and the safeguarding of human dignity. In recent years this journey has been further strengthened through the involvement of several sisters in initiatives linked to JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation), including the contribution of Sr Angela Sartori and Sr Lavinia, whose engagement has helped to deepen the awareness and presence of the Canossian family in these important areas.
Her participation represents not only a meaningful opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, but also a chance to bring the experience of families in Timor-Leste — together with the voice of the wider Canossian world — into the international dialogue.