About MU Australia
MU Australia is part of a world-wide network of people passionate about the empowerment of women and the wellbeing of families. Over 4,000,000 members in 81 countries provide spiritual and physical support to powerless, uneducated, and oppressed women and families throughout the world.
Caritas groups have the by-line Friendship in Action
and reach out beyond the Church community through informal gatherings to show Christian love for others.
MU and Caritas welcomes everyone who supports their Aims and Objects – women, men, married, single, divorced, clergy, lay, those who are parents and those who are not.
Led by staff at Mary Sumner House in London, Mothers’ Union supports projects including:
- Literacy and Numeracy courses first taught at grassroots level in Malawi, Burundi and The Sudan, and which have now been extended to other countries
- victims of domestic violence in Melanesia
- HIV/Aids awareness, maternal health, leadership training programs in PNG and Africa
- holidays for families facing poverty and hopelessness
- MU members in countries faced with famine and natural disasters
- Family Life programs focussed on education and reconciliation within communities
There are many projects carried out by branches of MU and Caritas groups attached to Anglican parishes throughout Australia including:
- holidays and pamper packs to support to farmers in rural areas
- Parenting Education Programs
- support for families who have met with adversity
- funds to enable outback clergy families to attend educational courses
- support for Indigenous and Torres Strait Island Women with education and welfare courses
- support for families and individuals in the Children’s Courts.
In the Diocese of Melbourne MU and Caritas provide:
- baby rugs for at-risk young parents, rugs for the aged, beanies and rugs for Seafarers
- kits for young adults in care who are starting out in their own accommodation
- care for bereaved families through hospitality and support at funerals
- prayer , material and financial support for Karen refugees on the Thai/Burma Border
- support for invalid and housebound members through the Intercessory Prayer Circle
- support for clergy through Baptism and Marriage kits, prayer cards, resource material