For this year’s International Women’s Day, the global Catholic charity organisation Caritas Internationalis has published a new booklet exploring both the spiritual foundation of women’s leadership and giving voice to female protagonists around the world. In a forward for the booklet titled “Equality, Encounter and Renewal”, which was published March 7, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Equality’
Parish praised for work against racism
Thursday, February 15th, 2024
The Catholic Church has a “crucial role to play” in speaking out against racism and promoting racial inclusion, a prominent British Catholic says. “Racism is a sin and has no place in our world. As followers of Christ, it is our duty to welcome all people, regardless of race or background, into our Church and Read more
Reversing the message that school attendance is not important
Friday, June 23rd, 2023
We’re doing a lot of talking right now regarding education. But we are forgetting something that goes beyond talking and demands action – the rangatahi at the heart of our education system. Our young people have, for the last few years, experienced the unprecedented nature of a pandemic – lockdowns with education being dished out Read more
Honest evangelisation needs honest journalism
Thursday, November 25th, 2021
Nearly two decades ago, I was asked to become the editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper published by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan. My first reaction was gut-hurting laughter. When I caught my breath, I said to the priest who had been sent to present the proposal, “Look at my face!” It was, indeed, unprecedented Read more
Women insist that equality should mean the right to vote
Thursday, October 17th, 2019
Catholic women attending the summit of bishops at the Vatican on the Amazon region praised the climate of inclusivity and openness ushered in by Pope Francis but insisted that equality demands they also have a right to vote. “As many other religious women, we believe we have come to the point that our superior generals Read more
Can the Catholic Church find salvation in a greater role for women?
Thursday, June 13th, 2019
For committed Catholic Kate Englebrecht, most days at her home in Mudgee in the central west of New South Wales start with a simple routine — quiet reflection and prayer. It is in stark contrast to the recent turbulent times for the church, including a royal commission which exposed widespread sexual abuse, and the conviction Read more
Priests call for talk on total equality of women in church
Friday, November 6th, 2015
Twelve priests in Ireland have issued a statement calling for an open discussion on equality for women in the Church, including in ministry. “Discriminating against women encourages and reinforces abuse and violence against women in many cultures and societies,” they said. Some of the 12 have been prominent members of the reformist Association of Catholic Priests in Read more
Christians under pressure to hide faith at work
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015A new report in the United Kingdom claims that Christians feel pressured to keep their faith hidden at work. A public consultation carried out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission also showed Christians are being mocked by colleagues for being bigoted. Christians are also discriminated against when it comes to wearing religious symbols, the Read more
5 Reasons you need a female pastor
Tuesday, April 1st, 2014In comparison to their male counterparts, female pastors have limited opportunities and face serious pay discrepancies. Never mind that half of people in mainline seminaries today are women – so if many churches are to survive in the future, it may be with a woman at the helm. But too many congregations are not willing Read more
New book explores fairness in New Zealand
Friday, March 28th, 2014
On Friday, March 21st, in Auckland, Accent Publications launched its latest title: “But is it fair?” Subtitled Faith Communities & Social Justice, the book is edited by Neil Darragh, and explores a faith response to inequality in using 31 people’s stories about faith communities that promote fairness in New Zealand. Darragh has divided the book into five sections: Sources and traditions, Read more