World Prayer Day 2025: The focus is on women of the cook islands!

World Prayer Day 2025: The focus is on women of the cook islands!

Cookinseln, Neuseeland - The ecumenical “World Prayer Day of Women” on March 7, 2025 will be dedicated to the cook islands this year. Women of the Pacific island state have made an impressive liturgy under the motto "Wonderful!" Created that reflects the reality of life on the islands. The world prayer day, the largest ecumenical women's movement in the world, is celebrated annually in more than 170 countries, with around 340 parishes in Austria, which actively participate. The event offers women the opportunity to combine with the struggles and achievements of their siblings in the cook islands and says: "God did everything wonderful - the creation and us, he goes into light and dark with us, he is always close!", As can be seen from a communication of the world prayer. According to information from Weltkirche.katholisch.de , the islanders refer to the coconut palm as their "tree of life", which symbolizes both strength.

economy and culture of the cook islands

The cook islands are an independent island state with 15 small islands in the South Pacific, known for their breathtaking beauty and its strong connection to the Maori culture. Around 20,000 people live there, and most of them belong to the indigenous population of the Maori. The most important industry is tourism, followed by agriculture and the breeding of the famous black pearls. Even if the idyllic paradise appears harmonious at first glance, the liturgy also illuminates more serious challenges such as the oppression of Maori culture, domestic violence and the threats from climate change. A related project has investigated important social topics on site, including hidden poverty and alcoholism, such as kathpress.at reported.