What next for women in theology and church? The Catholic one is concerned with this quite explosive question Theological Association Agenda now for 25 years. For the anniversary, around 60 theologians from science, education, associations and pastoral care met in Stuttgart under the motto “Looking back to the future”.
Agenda was founded in March 1998 primarily to make scientific work by women more visible. Around 400 female theologians from German-speaking countries are now members.
Female enrichment for the church
Women could enrich theology in all areas of the church as well as in research and teaching – although they could not save the church by doing so, said Chicago teaching theologian Hille Haker. But that shouldn’t stop her from taking responsibility. Initiatives such as Maria 2.0 and the Synodal Path church reform process have long since changed church practice.
The concerns of the alliance also played an international role, reported two representatives of the Argentine sister organization Teologanda. It is mainly men who work in the theological faculties in the South American country, and women find it difficult to find work at the universities. The German reform issues, such as the role of women and power and the separation of powers, also moved the Argentine theologians.
Gunda Werner confirmed as Chair
Agenda also confirmed the Bochum dogmatist Gunda Werner as chair for another two years. In the meantime, she wants to strengthen the political dimension of theology and advance an upcoming evaluation of the “Nihil Obstat,” she told the Catholic News Agency (KNA). This ecclesiastical declaration of no objection for professors of Catholic theology is repeatedly criticized because the procedure is viewed by many as opaque.
As chair, Werner also wants to devote himself to the future of theology in science and practice. The problems are getting worse: sharply falling student numbers and declining qualification work, hardly any candidates for vacant chairs. Although the proportion of women among professors has increased over the past 25 years, it is still just under 20 percent. The rate for articles in specialist publications is similar.
Bishop Fürst: “Agenda has changed the church and theology”
In a welcoming speech, Rottenburg’s bishop Gebhard Fürst had previously emphasized the importance of the network: “Agenda has not only changed the Catholic Church, but also theology and broadened our perspective.” At the same time, he expressed his concern that fewer and fewer young women see a professional future in the church: “The crisis in the Catholic Church was not caused by women. And yet they have to bear the consequences particularly hard.”
2023-04-23 19:16:22
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