African Catholic Women Germany
Patroness: Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom
National Patroness Feastday: 08th of June
Through Mary Our Mother ….We Succeed
Our Story
After the German Bishop conference created the African Pastoral mission in Germany, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ani, who is the President of the German Pastoral Council for Catholics with different languages and worships, saw the need to give African women a sense of belonging and bring them together under one umbrella – African Catholic Women in Germany. This was in his capacity as the representative of all non-German Catholics in Germany.
The initiative was introduced to Rev Fr Dr Sylvester Ihuoma, who was the then National Spiritual Director of all African Catholics, and Rev Sister Rosecarmel Umah, who also approved. Mrs Gloria Obi Uchendu from Esslingen was given the mandate to gather the women together. She reached across various CWO local communities and was able to bring the women together for the first conference, which was held on the 16th of April 2016 in the African English Speaking Catholic Parish Frankfurt with 11 communities in attendance- Frankfurt, Augsburg, Berlin, Esslingen, Essen, Münster, Ludwigshafen, Köln, Bielefeld, Nürnberg, and Aachen.
The second conference was held on October 13, 2018, at Elizabeth Catholic Church in Berlin. The theme was ‘The identity and role of the Catholic women organization in the African Catholic communities’ presented by Rev Fr Dr. Sylvester Ajunwa, the Spiritual Director of ACWG.
The third conference was held on October 19, 2019, at St. Thaddäus Zentrum in Augsburg. This conference birthed the first executive and was themed The Future of African Communities in Germany and the Way Forward’ presented by Rev Fr Dr Chinedu Kizito Nweke, who succeeded Rev Fr Dr Sylvester Ihuoma
The fourth conference was held in 2022 in Berlin, which produced the now President, Mrs Judith Ngankam.
The Caretakers are positioned from left to right:
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- Mrs. Gloria Oby Uchendu Wilfred Esslingen
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- Mrs. Chinwe Obasi from Berlin
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- Mrs. Mercy Nwauzor from Ludwigshafen
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- Mrs. Joy Obi from Bielefeld.
The First Elected National Executive
The first elected National Executives in Augsburg were elected in 2019.
Front roll, from right to left,
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- Financial Secretary – Mrs. Faustina Madukanya
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- Vice President – Mrs. Juilliette Dobgima:
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- President – Mrs. Maureen Ozofor
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- Secretary – Mrs Mercy Nwauzor –
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- Assistant Provost – Mrs. Blessing Teya
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- Standing Left to right
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- P.R.O – Mrs. Amaka Bedewell
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- Asst. Secretary – Mrs Judith Ngankam Agyapong
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- Social Secretary – Mrs. Florence Ibekwe
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- Provost – Mrs. Lucy Chioma Nnaemeka
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- Treasurer – Mrs Ann Nwaru
Our numbers speak
We have grown over the years, and we are still growing. We encourage you to join any of the communities nearest to you and participate in all the activities.
Registered Communities
African Catholic Women Aachen
African Catholic Women Augsburg
Name of the patroness: Our Lady, Mother of Mercy
Feast Day: 24 th of September
St.Wolfhard, Thaddäus Zentrum
Madison str. 12, 86156 Augsburg
Mass Sundays at 2:00 PM
African Catholic Women Berlin
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady of Fatima
Feastday: 13th of May
African Catholic Women Bielefeld
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Queen of the Holy Rosary
Feastday: 7th of October
African Catholic Women Essen
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Feastday: 8th of December
Nigeria Catholic Women Hamburg
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Cause of our Joy
Feastday: 8th of September
Hamm African Catholic Women
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Mother of Mercy
Feastday: 24th of September
African Catholic English Speaking Women Frankfurt am Main
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help
Feastday: 27th of June
African Catholic Women Köln
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Mother of the Creator
Feastday: 14th of May
St Alban Köln
Quatermarkt 4, 50667 Köln
Mass is at 12:30
African Catholic Women Wuppertal
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace
Feastday: 23th of July
Herz-Jesu Elberfeld
Catholic church
9,5 km · Ludwigstraße 54 · 0202 698100
Mass: 1:15am Sundays
Igbo Catholic Women Organisation Ludwigshafen
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help
Feastday: 27th of June
African Catholic Women Mühlheim
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Feastday: 9th of July
African Catholic Women Mannheim
African Catholic Women München
African Catholic Women Nürnberg
African Catholic Women Münster
Name of the Patroness: Our Lady of Lourdes
Feastday: 11th of February
Monthly Prayers
The Monthly prayers takes place every second Saturday of the month at 11:am. You are hereby invited to Join. Join the prayers here
Our Anthem
ACWG Women of God!
ACWG Women of Faith
We have come together to be as one
We have come together to work for peace
God the Father,
God the Son
Holy Spirit, is our guide. Women of Virtue,
our Model’s Mary! (2 times)
Ongoing Projects
- Constitution Review
- Homepage
- Official registration as an association
- Safe space building for women mental health
- Celebration of the first National and first Local Patroness days
- Building a strong and integration oriented network
Meet The National Team
Our team is a dynamic group of dedicated women committed to nurturing faith, fostering community, and celebrating the rich tapestry of African culture within the Catholic tradition. Each member brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and a deep love for service, united by a shared vision to empower and uplift women across Germany. Our Rev. Fathers and Sisters ensure this happens.
From organizing community events and spiritual retreats to creating inspiring content and providing support, our team works tirelessly to strengthen our faith community. Get to know the faces behind the mission and the heart of everything we do—serving with purpose, guided by faith, and driven by love.
The Spiritual Director
National Chaplain ACWG Rev. Fr. Dr. Sylvester Ajunwa
Sister Adviser
Rev. Sr Rosecarmel Umah (DMMM)
Sister Adviser
Sr. Dr. Calice Christiana M. N. IDIKA (DMMM)
The National President of ACWG
Mrs. Judith Ngankam Agyapong from Wuppertal
Vice President from Ludwigshafen
Mrs. Laura Tinzoh, National Secretary from Cologne
Mrs. Natacha Bamy, Assistant National Secretary from Augsburg
Mrs. Mercy Nwauzor,
National Financial Secretary from Ludwigshafen
Mrs. Juliette Dogbima
National P.R.O. from Berlin
Mrs. Maureen Ozofor
National Treasurer from Augsburg
Mrs. Anthonia Ojiodu-Ambrose
National Provost from Essen
Mrs. Obi Anyi
Assistant National Provost from Francfurt
Mrs. Janet Mukefor
National Social Welfare Officer Secretary from Berlin
Mrs. Brendaline Keafon
Spiritual Affairs from Berlin
Mrs. Lawal Iseone
Media Coordinator from Wuppertal
The Executive Officers
2nd National elected body in Berlin in 2022
Third National elected body in Wuppertal in 2025
Events and Projects
2019 Augsburg National Convention
* The first constitution was launched in this convention
* The Election of the first Executive Board was held in Augsburg
* The Caretakers handed over to the first elected executive
2022 National Convention in Berlin
* The brochure was launched in this convention
* The second executive was elected in this convention
Nord Rhein Westfalen African Regional Catholic Day on the 9th and 10th September 2023
This event was held in Münster in September 2023 with all the English communities in Nordrhein Westfalen.
Leadership Seminar in Wuppertal on the 3rd-5th November 2023
Sisters from all over Germany were in attendance
National Pilgrimage to the Vatican on the 3rd-7th October 2024
The Pilgrimage took place in Rome from the 3rd – 7th October 2024
Inauguration of the African Catholic Women Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen Region.
The Inauguration took place on the 14th of June 2025 in St. Maria Empfängnis Essen
ACWG National Convention 2025
Anchored in Hope, Moving in Faith
October 17–19, 2025 | Wuppertal, Germany
Held under the theme “Anchored in Hope, Moving in Faith,” the Convention emphasized spiritual growth, mental and physical well-being, leadership development, and the strengthening of unity among African Catholic women in Germany.
We congratulate the new Executive Board and pray for God’s wisdom, strength, and grace upon them. The Convention concluded by a Closing Holy Mass, after which participants departed, spiritually renewed and strengthened in unity and mission.
ACW Münster First Patroness Feast: In thanksgiving and unity
On the 11th of February 2026, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the African Catholic Women of Münster joyfully celebrated their first Patroness Day in thanksgiving and unity.
Our Lady of Lourdes appeared in 1858 to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. During her apparitions, she called for: Prayer, Repentance, Penance for sinners, Faithfulness to God and Trust in her intercession. She identified herself as the Immaculate Conception and invited the faithful to draw closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. The spring of water revealed at Lourdes became a symbol of healing, hope, and renewal for the world. Her message remains simple yet powerful: Return to God through prayer, humility, and conversion of heart.
The celebration with our Sisters from Münster was deeply spiritual and beautifully organized:
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A Novenna to Our Lady of Lourdes prepared their hearts in prayer.
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The feast day was crowned with a Thanksgiving Mass to the glory of God.
Our National Chair Lady, sincerely thanks the leadership and all members of the African Catholic Women of Münster for their dedication, organization, and faith. The effort in preparing the novena and the thanksgiving celebration shows your love for God and your desire to grow in unity. She also thanks everyone who accompanied this spiritual journey in prayer, especially those who joined through Zoom. Even from afar, we were united in one heart and one spirit.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
The joy continues! Further Patroness Day celebrations are coming.
Berlin and Cologne are next on the Patroness Feast list, and we look forward to celebrating with our sisters. May the same spirit of prayer, unity, and thanksgiving fill these upcoming celebrations. Amen.
World Day of Prayer 2026 – “Sisters, with Sisters, for Sisters”
ACWG in Union with Women Across Germany Praying for Nigeria
Members of ACWG joined women across Germany to celebrate the World Day of Prayer 2026, praying in solidarity for the people of Nigeria.
This year’s focus on Nigeria invited participants to reflect on both the richness and the challenges of the country. Although Nigeria is considered an emerging economic nation blessed with abundant natural resources such as oil, gas, and even gold, many people continue to face serious difficulties. Poverty, criminality, bandit attacks, corruption, early marriages, and unemployment affect the lives of many families and communities.
The central message of the celebration was one of hope despite despair:
“Hope Against All Hopelessness! Come and bring your burdens!”
Members of ACWG participated in various local prayer services across Germany. Wherever our sisters attended, it was a beautiful moment of encounter, faith, and togetherness. Many ACWG women actively contributed to the celebrations in different ways:
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some enriched the prayer with songs,
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others participated in the procession of the Word,
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some helped by preparing
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Some just support by tasting food ( German version of Jollof rice),
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others demonstrated how to tie a traditional wrapper,
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some were invited to dance, cook, or explain cultural traditions from Nigeria.
Through these contributions, our sisters were able to share their culture, faith, and experiences, building bridges of understanding between communities.
Together, we prayed especially for our sisters who carry heavy burdens — both in their countries of origin and in their lives here in Germany. The prayer was a moment to entrust these challenges to God and to stand together in faith and solidarity.
The World Day of Prayer (often called Weltgebetstag in German) is a global Christian movement where people gather to pray for peace and justice. It is known especially for its international cooperation among women.
What is the World Day of Prayer?
The World Day of Prayer is an annual Christian prayer service celebrated around the world. Each year, people from many countries meet in churches, schools, or community centers to pray, sing, and learn about another country and its culture.
A special feature is that the worship service is prepared by women from one particular country each year, and the same program is used worldwide.
Since when does it exist?
The roots of the movement go back to the 19th century:
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1887 – Christian women in the United States organized a day of prayer for missions.
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1927 – Different prayer movements joined together into a more international event.
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1968 – The movement became officially organized internationally.
Today it is celebrated in more than 170 countries.
Who organizes it?
The movement is coordinated globally by the World Day of Prayer International Committee.
Key points about the organization:
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It is led mainly by Christian women from many denominations (Protestant, Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, etc.).
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Each participating country has its own national committee.
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The committees work together to distribute the yearly worship materials.
When does it take place?
The World Day of Prayer is usually held on the first Friday of March every year.
Purpose of the Day
The goals include:
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praying for peace and justice
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supporting women and children
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encouraging global Christian unity
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raising funds for social and humanitarian projects
Many communities also include music, traditional food, and cultural presentations from the country that prepared the service.
Our participation to this ecumenical initiative reflects the strong commitment of the ACWG executive to promote communication, integration, and mutual understanding. The more we interact and share our stories, the more we grow in respect, tolerance, and appreciation for one another. Though we come from different denominations and different backgrounds, we are united by one faith and one purpose.
We extend our sincere thanks to all ACWG sisters who made the effort to participate and pray, despite the short notice of the announcement.
May Our Mother Mary, Seat of Wisdom, continue to intercede for us, guide us, and inspire our journey together.
Below are some impressions from this meaningful day of prayer.
Wuppertal
Cologne
Augsburg
Münster
Ludwigshafen
Hamm
Bielefeld
International Women’s Day Workshop – 8 March 2026
Identity, Family, and Career: Complementarity Instead of Competition
International Women’s Day 2026 Workshop – Reflection, Dialogue and Empowerment
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, our Sister Adviser Dr. Chalice Idika DMMM warmly invited African migrant women to an evening of reflection, dialogue, and empowerment. The online workshop was open to all African migrant women, and more than 40 women participated via Zoom, including several sisters who are not members of ACWG. The event created a welcoming space for honest conversation, shared experiences, and mutual encouragement.
The workshop began with a presentation of statistics highlighting the high unemployment rate among migrant women. This introduction set the stage for an important discussion about the many roles migrant women carry simultaneously and the often invisible mental and emotional load associated with these responsibilities. It was emphasized that this burden is real and not imaginary.
Migration changes how family roles are negotiated. Many women experience a period of disorientation at the beginning, as the social system, institutions, and expectations are different from what they previously knew. Sometimes the system supports migrants; at other times it creates additional challenges.
Participants reflected on the many roles they carry in their daily lives: mother, partner, teacher, professional worker, supporter of family members in the country of origin, homemaker, cook, taxi driver, church member, and more. Managing these roles can sometimes lead to feelings of being trapped, overwhelmed, frustrated, or exhausted. At the same time, every migration story is unique, and each woman’s situation is different.
A central question of the workshop was therefore: How can we organize our many roles so that they support rather than overwhelm us?
Through discussion and practical exercises, participants explored ways to remain balanced and strong individuals while caring for their families and professional responsibilities.
Several valuable insights emerged from the workshop:
1. Clarifying one’s situation and roles
Participants were encouraged to identify the different roles they play and to reflect on important questions:
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Which roles are non-negotiable?
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Which roles are essential for my personal wellbeing?
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Which responsibilities can be postponed, delegated, or even abandoned?
2. Personal time management and family cooperation
Using a calendar and structured planning can help bring balance between work and family life. Women were encouraged to sit down with their partners and children to plan household responsibilities together. A partner should not be seen merely as a helper, but as a co-operator. Delegating tasks and sharing responsibilities can significantly reduce pressure. Participants were also encouraged to communicate openly with employers about their situations and needs.
3. The importance of language
Language is a key resource that opens doors to opportunities and integration. Learning the local language strengthens independence and confidence. Participants also discussed how digital tools and artificial intelligence can support language learning and make studying more accessible.
4. Taking care of mental wellbeing
An important exercise focused on self-reflection regarding emotional and mental health. Participants were encouraged to regularly check their “inner traffic light”:
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Green: Feeling calm, balanced, and able to manage daily life.
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Yellow: Signs of stress such as forgetfulness, irritability, or exhaustion.
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Red: Serious overload, emotional distress, or persistent fatigue.
Recognizing these signals early can help women seek appropriate support before reaching burnout.
5. Do not struggle alone
A powerful message throughout the workshop was that no woman should suffer in silence. Change is possible when women support each other. Sister Chalice shared her commitment to work with the ACWG executive team toward the creation of a safe space where the organization can become a support system for African migrant women.
The workshop concluded with the reading of a song lyrics that Sister Chalice specially composed for us and with an encouraging message from her:
“Sisters, do not give up. You can have a full life – as mothers, partners, professionals and much more. It is possible to manage your roles and bring them into conversation and collaboration with one another.”
The evening ended with a strong sense of solidarity, inspiration, and empowerment among the participants.
What an empowering and meaningful International Women’s Day celebration!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sister Chalice for her insightful guidance and to all the women who participated and shared their experiences.
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