2014 - 2018 International Women’s Day in Rome
2018: International Women’s Day
Mary McAleese
FORMER PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
“God gave us two wings so that humanity could soar to great heights and feel the power and see the beauty of his creation in all its wonder. Yet our Church insists on flying on one wing, overlooking and wasting the talents and insights of so many wonderful, faithful, Godly women. Why? Can this tragic dysfunction really be what God wants? I think not. Let us now begin to imagine a completely different future.”
Ssenfuka Joanita Warry
LGBT ADVOCATE AND FOUNDER, UGANDA
“I hope to preach love not hate and to remind the Church and women that we are made in the like and image of God, and therefore equally important as men in the Church.”
Zuzanna Radzik
THEOLOGIAN AND AUTHOR, POLAND
“Women are the Church, more than half of it, and yet they have been excluded from shaping it for most of history. Why should the Church matter in women's lives if it keeps discriminating them?“
Gaya Lobo Gajiwala
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR AND FACILITATOR, INDIA
“I've always thought of Jesus as the original rebel against patriarchal structures, welcoming women, children, the disabled and the otherwise disenfranchised into his love. I'd like to think Jesus would speak to me, rather than about me! I wait for women's role in the church be acknowledged independently of men in the same way. The question I ask myself is do I really need to be part of a system that expects me to minimise myself in order to support, rather than give the best of myself? If Jesus could see us as more than mere scaffolding, surely the church can also see that we aren't here simply to support the men of the church. We are the church too!”
Nivedita Lobo Gajiwala
EXECUTIVE TECH RECRUITER, INDIA
"We live in tumultuous times where women are fighting for a seat at the table in every industry imaginable. To see the Church stick its heels in the ground and continue with it's old fashioned gender normative ways makes it feel removed from reality. Jesus was a humanist. He treated women as equal to men and since women were considered inferior in those days it was almost like he was elevating them. A church that doesn't have space for strong, opinionated, fierce women has a lot to learn."
Joana Gnomes
PROJECT DIRECTOR, JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICES, CHAD, AFRICA
“I am the only female project manager of the four camps in Chad. I came here prepared, knowing it was going to be a challenge to be a woman. I believe it is my responsibility to show the role women can and must have as leaders. I try to help the community to see women differently to what society has taught them.”
Alina Oehler
“There was a time when I lost any interest in the Church and even felt rejected because I am a woman. But the sacrament of the Eucharist and the biographies of some Saints kept fascinating me. In my studies, I was surprised to discover how highly women are appreciated in the Christian tradition, especially by Jesus himself. Nevertheless most women I know still think of the Church as a men’s club where they are not heard or understood. To change that the Church has to have women in the first row, showing that the Catholic faith and its understanding of femininity can keep up with the life a modern woman wants to lead”.
Father Luke Hansen, SJ
JESUIT AND WRITER, USA
“Faithful women, gifted by the Holy Spirit, are ready to serve. It is time to recognise their vocation to leadership and ministry. Our Church needs them for the Gospel to reach new frontiers.”
Elisa Orbananos Hernando
REGIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICER, JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE, GREAT LAKES
“I see my work as an extension of my faith. To fight power is a daily battle. I do not want to see power as negative, but women have to say something. I’m a young woman and I feel frustrated because to the Church I seem to count less.”
Nicole Sotelo
JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, USA
"If we Christians are called to lift up women in society, then we also need to lift up women in the Church"
Tina Beattie
DIRECTOR, CATHERINE OF SIENA COLLEGE
Tina Beattie is a British theologian, writer and broadcaster. She is Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Roehampton in London and Director of Catherine of Siena College.
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
PRODUCER FOR CBS NEWS
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, a producer for the CBS News legendary news programme, 60 Minutes, moderates the first session of the 2017 edition of Voices of Faith.
Chantal Götz
MANAGING DIRECTOR, VOICES OF FAITH
"We believe the Church would thrive if and when women are welcomed to leadership conversations and were able to use their expertise and talents to drive better engagement and inclusion. The full potential of women in the Church is still not realized by our current leadership, and that’s a shame"
2017: International Women’s Day
Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ
GENERAL SUPERIOR, SOCIETY OF JESUS
"What so many today regard as impossible: a humanity reconciled in justice, living in peace in a well-cared-for common home, where there is a place for everyone because we recognize each other as sister & brother, sons & daughters of the same, unique Father."
Dr Mirreille Twayigira
INTERN AT QUEEN ELIZABETH CENTRAL HOSPITAL
“If given the resources, refugee children excel. It is probably because of what they went through, they see education as a way out. And I am one!“
Stephanie Lorenzo
CEO & FOUNDER OF PROJECT FUTURES
"I believe we all have the power to create change to give back and to empower others to do the same, all you need is drive, passion and a little faith"
Marguerite Barankitse
FOUNDER OF MAISON SHALOM
“Before I am a Tutsi, I am a Christian” Marguerite remembers telling the mob. “I will not allow you to kill those people.”
Nagham and Shadan
“We focused first on values because this was one of the first things lost in the war, so honesty, respect and accepting each other’s differences”.
Marie Dennis
CO-PRESIDENT OF PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL
"In response to a global epidemic of violence, which Pope Francis has labeled a “world war in installments,” women are bringing their experience and creativity to the challenging, long-term vocation of healing and reconciling both people and the planet."
Dr Scilla Elworthy
FOUNDER OF THE OXFORD RESEARCH GROUP, PEACE DIRECT AND RISING WOMEN, RISING WORLD
“A different future for all of humanity is possible, if humans wake up. Waking up starts with you and me. It means increasing our knowledge of ourselves by using reflection, mindfulness and inner work.“
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NETWORK LOBBY FOR CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTIC
"Women are the practical justice workers who know that the path to peace goes through the stories of those in the struggle. Women’s daily actions alleviate fear and weave society and our world together."
Flavia Agnes
WOMEN’S RIGHTS LAWYER AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE MAJLIS LEGAL CENTRE
As an activist of feminism, you have to go layer by layer—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Dalit, bar dancer, trafficked woman, migrant woman, sex worker—it should work for everybody. If it doesn’t, it is not feminism.
Kerry Alys Robinson
GLOBAL AMBASSADOR, LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE
"Want to help the Church alleviate human suffering, advance peace, promote justice, model integrity and extend hope? Ensure and value the role of women in leadership as a matter of managerial urgency."
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
PRODUCER FOR CBS NEWS
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, a producer for the CBS News legendary news programme, 60 Minutes, moderates the first session of the 2017 edition of Voices of Faith.
Julia Mintzer
MEZZO-SOPRANO
Julia Mintzer is a mezzo-soprano and stage director working in the United States and Europe. She was a member of the Junges Ensemble at the Semperoper Dresden and a young artist at the Washington National Opera.
Silvia Genovesi
CONTRALT
"The strength of a woman is to be a woman. Listening to a woman and believing in her opinions and in her deeds can be the beginning of a better future"
2016: International Women’s Day
Cecilia Flores
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
"In my heart, truly, forgiveness does not come easy – and more so, mercy. I don’t know if I have been able to forgive those people who have made my life and girls’ lives hell on earth."
Judy Onyango
STUDENT, WIFE AND MOTHER
"Marrying early due to poverty gets to a point where love turns sour and violence is the order of the day. Respect and dignity are swept under the carpet."
Caroline Kimeu
STUDENT
To end child marriage, education must be accessible, good quality, safe and girl-friendly.
Father George Menamparampil, SDB
SALESIAN OF DON BOSCO
"When asked where and what they would be doing if they were not attending one of our Don Bosco schools, a lot of our students are in agreement on one thing: They would not be attending any high school at all."
Sabriye Tenberken & Paul Kronenberg
CO-FOUNDERS OF KANTHARI AND BRAILLE WITHOUT BORDERS
"A kanthari is born when Mercy, in the sense of forgiveness and reconciliation, turns into empowerment and gratefulness. Grateful for the life we have lived, the sorrows that we could transform into strength."
Sister Mary Doris
BLAUVELT DOMINICAN SISTER
"Mercy, for me, is the desire to love and serve others, fired by the Gift of Faith in God's abiding love in my life."
Merci
STUDENT
"I know something and most of all, I can give something back to the people.”
Dr. Katarina Kruhonja
CO-FOUNDER OF THE CENTER FOR PEACE, NONVIOLENCE (ONE WORLD) AND HUMAN RIGHT - OSIJEK
“The war in Croatia changed my life. First, it was my internal dialogue with the logic of a “total war”- destructive force of violence which I recognized also in my own mind and heart. "
Dr Carolyn Woo
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
"What we must do is find ways to give women and girls the resources, training, support and space they need to grow."
Petra Dankova
POSTULANT (SISTER-IN-TRAINING) WITH THE SISTERS OF THE HOLY REDEEMER
"when we think of a culture – of peace or hospitality – every single thing matters. Every little detail can multiply into a chain-reaction of miracles."
Gayatri Lobo Gajiwala
ENGLISH TEACHER
"Finding your inner strength and the courage of your convictions goes a long way towards making your presence count in the world."
Father Thomas Smolich, SJ
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF JRS
"We must show mercy to those who are at the mercy of outside forces. We must mobilise ourselves for those who are in motion."
Geralyn Sheehan
COUNTRY DIRECTOR FOR US PEACE CORPS, COLOMBIA
“The impact of poverty on a person is more than their economic status, it is a diminishment of their human value and dignity. To end poverty we must address issues that diminish human dignity and freedom.”
Nicole Perone
STUDENT OF YALE UNIVERSITY
"I am extroverted and outgoing enough to be unafraid of raising my voice for and within the Church for women and young people."
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
PRODUCER FOR CBS NEWS
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, a producer for the CBS News legendary news programme, 60 Minutes, moderates the first session of the 2016 edition of Voices of Faith.
2015: International Women’s Day
Dr Mary McFarland
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR JESUIT COMMON
Can people in refugee camps have access to higher education? Dr. Mary McFarland knows they can. She speaks about her work creating a successful education program in a seemingly forgotten community.
Suad Mohamed
TEACHER & FORMER REFUGEE
Suad Sharif Mohamed is a young Somali girl who lived in Kakuma refugee camp in the north western part of Kenya for 17 years. She lost her elder sister, uncle and grandparents during the 1991 civil war in Somali
Caroline Kimeu
STUDENT
To end child marriage, education must be accessible, good quality, safe and girl-friendly.
Father Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator
SPIRITUAL AND COMMUNITY LEADER FOR JESUITS IN AFRICA
Why is the idea of an educated woman so difficult for so many to accept? Why is she seen as such a threat? How do we educate about education?
Mukti Bosco
CO-FOUNDER & SECRETARY GENERAL OF HEALING FIELDS
Mukti, a catholic lay Indian woman, who is also a social entrepreneur, thinks that it is not a dream. For the last seventeen years she has been working in the poor rural areas of India.
Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala
SCIENTIST, THEOLOGIAN & WRITER
Dr. Astrid Lobo Gajiwala is Catholic, her husband Dr. Kalpesh Gajiwala is Hindu. Mother of three, she has been living her Christian commitment in an interfaith family for the past 25 years.
Lesley-Anne Knight
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ELDERS
Lesley-Anne Knight believes strongly that combating injustice and inequality is vital to building enduring peace in the world and has been active in humanitarian and development work for more than 30 years.
Sister Martha Pelloni
Martha Pelloni is a nun from Argentina who was the driving force behind the Silent marches. These marches were catalysts for exposing a judicial cover-up over the torture, and final murder of María Soledad Morales
Sister Hatune Dogan
Are we doing something for the persecuted in The Middle East? Or do we just watch passively from the comfort of YOUR couch? Sister Hatune Dogan could not stay in Germany. She had to go to help the suffering.
Ulla Gudmundson
FORMER SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE
See the role of women from a different perspective.
Martina Liebsch
POLICY AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR FOR CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS
Martina Liebsch is the Policy and Advocacy Director for the global confederation of 164 national Caritas organizations. She has worked with Caritas in various capacities for more than three decades.
Deborah Rose-Milavec
Executive director of FutureChurch, a U.S.-based reform organization that seeks to create opportunities for Roman Catholics to participate fully in the life and leadership of the Church.
Prof. Tina Beattie
PROFESSOR OF CATHOLIC STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROEHAMPTON IN LONDON
Prof. Tina Beattie is interested in the many ways in which women’s lives and voices form part of the Catholic theological tradition.
2014: International Women’s Day
Jocelyne Khoueiry
Sister Caritas Ifediba
Sister Abir Hanna
Sister Daphne Sequeira
Katrine Camilleri
Sister Azezet Kidane
Sister Maria Cristiana Dobner
Sonia Reppucci
Sabrina Moranti
