Sister Monica Cavanagh RSJ | Australia

“My wish for women in the Catholic church is that women will be recognised for the gifts they bring to ecclesial insight as equal partners through baptism. In particular that women will be included in decision-making such as Vatican synods and diocesan/country decision-making bodies and no longer ignored in this arena. As a participant in the Australian Plenary Council I will be bringing my voice to this important issue. I’m no longer staying silent about the rights of women to participate fully in the life of the church and to call out clericalism and power imbalance and the treatment of women religious around the globe who are silenced and ignored in matters related to sexual abuse and harassment and treated as servants of the male church. I am sharing this because I believe that the gospel calls us into a discipleship of equals where the gifts of all are honoured and valued and unless women’s voice and extended contribution to mission and ministry within the church women, young and old will continue to drift from participation in ecclesial life.”