Swiss Catholic Women's Federation votes to remove Catholic from their name. The logical consequence of synodalism.
Women's Federation Removes "Catholic" from Name
The delegates of the Swiss Catholic Women's Federation voted by a clear majority to remove the term "Catholic" from their name. The national umbrella organization is now called "Frauenbund Schweiz."
The Swiss Catholic Women's Federation is now called "Frauenbund Schweiz." The name includes the slogan "Surprisingly Different Catholic." At their meeting on May 23 in Visp (VS), the delegates voted 153 to 5 in favor of the name change. The motion was submitted to the association's board of directors and had generated considerable media attention beforehand.
Katharina Jost, designated co-president, summarized the reasons for the name change before the vote: The previous name was cumbersome, and the abbreviation SKF was not understood. The term "Catholic" has negative connotations and is associated with clericalism and abuse by 80 percent of the population. She emphasized that nothing would change in the content and values of the Women's Association. The Women's Association continues to stand for "a good life for all." However, "we are not managing to present 'Catholic' in a positive light. We believe Jesus Christ would say: You will not recognize them by their names, but by their actions," Jost said. A vote that sparked spontaneous applause and already served as a barometer for the final vote.
Cathcon: This is where the anti-clericalist rhetoric of Pope Francis. Catholic is now a badge of shame.
"We are still Christians"
In the discussion before the vote, it became clear that Christian values and the church's roots in the Catholic Church were not questioned by either supporters or opponents of the name change: "Despite everything, we are still Catholic, we are not giving up our Catholic identity," "It's about the heart of our name," "Catholic is more than just a word, it is our foundation, the source of our inspiration and our values," were some of the comments from those opposed to the name change.
Approximately the same number of women voted in favor of the name change: "We are still Christians," "finally, we are no longer excluding anyone." The women were asked to counter the fear that church donors might withdraw their support by saying, "Then you won't receive any more of our services."
Cathcon: They have now turned themselves into a protection racket.
New name only for national umbrella organization
The main topic of discussion at the meeting was whether and how binding the slogan "Surprisingly different Catholic" should be in the name. A motion to include the slogan as a visual element of the logo was passed by 100 votes to 57. However, the slogan remains a communication measure for the time being. Whether it should be included as part of the name in the statutes will be decided at the 2026 General Assembly.
Simone Curau-Aepli was bid farewell with a standing ovation after nine years as SKF President. Photo: Swiss Women's Federation
The individual delegates were free to vote for or against the name change. The new name applies only to the national umbrella organization. The cantonal associations, as well as the local groups, are free to choose their own names. 89 percent of the local associations do not have "Catholic" in their name.
Threats from Church Bodies
The intensity of the discussions surprised, but also pleased, the board, said outgoing president Simone Curau-Aepli at the beginning of the meeting. However, some threats from members of church bodies addressed to cantonal associations, stating that they would no longer write letters of recommendation if the umbrella organization were to change its name, were disconcerting.
Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Valais, who delivered a welcoming address that morning, was also unlikely to be pleased. "A qualifying adjective further specifies a word," said the bishop. "For example, the word "obst-" in "obstbaum" makes it clear that the tree bears fruit. If this more precise term is omitted, it remains unclear what type of tree it is." Lovey, however, was no longer present for the vote.
New Co-Presidency
Simone Curau-Aepli was bid farewell as president with a standing ovation. She had chaired the women's association for nine years. Katharina Jost Graf (Lucerne) and Pia Viel (Aargau) were elected as new co-presidents to great applause. This marks the first time the women's association has a co-president. Jost also represents the first time a theologian has been appointed to the presidency. Barbara Schmid-Federer, former National Councilor and biological sister of Abbot Urban Federer, was also newly elected to the board.
Cathcon: These are the people who have been put in positions of power by synodalism. It is an utter disgrace. A warning for those who want to further promote synodalism. Any advance in synodalism will further dissolve the Church.
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