The Joint Diploma in "Women and the Church: Women and Men in a Synodal Community" is a joint initiative of the Institute for Higher Studies on Women of the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, the Pontifical Urbaniana University, the Pontifical Salesian University, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium," the Claretianum Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life, the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and the Pontifical Theological Faculty "Teresianum".
The program explores the specific contribution of women to the life and mission of the Church, promoting processes of mutual collaboration between women and men within ecclesial spaces. This reflection addresses the still-timely question of the valorization of the lay faithful, raised by the Second Vatican Council and not yet fully implemented.
Despite numerous examples of fruitful collaboration between men and women in ecclesial life, cultural and structural barriers remain that hinder authentic cooperation. The Church today recognizes the urgent need to enhance the presence of women in decision-making processes, starting with a renewed understanding of the dignity of the baptismal priesthood. It is necessary to avoid any form of clericalization of the laity, especially women, while rediscovering the feminine and maternal face of the Church itself.
This reflection is part of a Church called to a journey of conversion to synodality. What is the role of women in this process?
Structure
The program's structure follows the synodal dynamic: listen, discern, act.
- Listen as missionary disciples: understand current challenges in different contexts, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of women's status in the Church and of collaboration between clergy and laity, in the light of faith. This includes both positive examples of cooperation and the difficulties in recognizing the role of women in various geographical contexts.
- Discern: Identify the causes of challenges (cultural, historical, and anthropological factors), the theological foundations, and guiding criteria for thought and action.
- Act: Outline paths and tools to promote the conversion and renewal of the Church, in light of the perspectives opened by the Second Vatican Council.
Scientific Committee
- Anita Cadavid – Institute for Advanced Studies on Women (APRA)
- Lorella Congiunti – Pontifical Urbaniana University
- Christoph Betschart, O.C.D. – Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum
- Catherine Droste – Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
- Mario Llanos – Pontifical Salesian University (UPS)
- Grazia Loparco – Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium
- Pilar Rio – Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (PUSC)
- Marta Rodriguez – Institute for Higher Studies on Women (APRA)
- Nicla Spezzati – Pontifical Lateran University, Claretianum
Faculty
- Maria Aracoeli Beroch (SSVM)
- Maria José Chavéz – APRA
- Lorella Congiunti – Urbaniana
- Daniela Del Gaudio – APRA
- Catherine Droste – Angelicum
- Iacopo Iadarola – Teresianum
- Mario Llanos – UPS
- Grazia Loparco – Auxilium
- Karen Lorenzo – Theologian, Professor of Sacred Scripture
- Marcela Mazzini – University Catholic Argentina
- Tasio Pérez Salido – Francisco de Vitoria University (Madrid)
- Pilar Rio – PUSC
- Giancarlo Rocca – Urbaniana
- Jaime Rodriguez – Francisco de Vitoria University (Madrid)
- Marta Rodriguez – APRA
- Carla Rossi Espagnet – PUSC
- Nicla Spezzati – Lateran University
- Maria Lia Zervino – World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:
- Deepen the alliance between men and women in the ecclesial sphere, recognizing the evangelical newness of their mutual relationship.
- Assimilate the foundations and guiding criteria for promoting women's contribution to the Church.
- Identify the main difficulties that hinder women's full participation in ecclesial life.
- Understand the expressions of female subjectivity in the ecclesial mission in different cultural and historical contexts.
- Deepen the Catholic tradition through a hermeneutic of continuity across time and cultures.
- Gain new perspectives on the mission of women in the Church, starting from a renewed understanding of the baptismal vocation.
Intended Audience
The course is intended for priests, men and women religious, and lay people active in the Church—at the curial, diocesan, academic, or educational levels—who wish to promote greater awareness and initiate processes of collaboration between men and women in the Church.
Entrance requirement: possession of a bachelor's or master's degree.
Registration using the appropriate form by clicking on the following link.
Modules
1. Socio-historical
Examines socio-cultural processes from the 19th century to the present, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses, the achievements and problematic issues of the inculturation of faith in social dialogue. It proposes lines of development oriented towards proactive commitment.
Coordinators: Professors Nicla Spezzati (Lateran University) and Grazia Loparco (Auxilium)
2. Anthropological (Philosophical and Theological)
Explores the meaning of sexual difference and the dynamics of personal identity formation, offering tools for understanding the collaboration and reciprocity between men and women in the Church.
Coordinators: Professors Marta Rodriguez (APRA) and Lorella Congiunti (Urbanian University)
3. Ecclesiological
Starting from the ecclesiology of communion of Vatican II, it reinterprets the conciliar and post-conciliar Magisterium on the laity and women, to develop creative, faithful, and prophetic action paths.
Coordinator: Professor Pilar Rio (PUSC)
4. Workshops
Experiential spaces for enhancing one's male or female identity (listening), interpreting the content learned (discernment), and personalizing a style of ecclesial collaboration "through-with-in-Christ" (acting).
Coordinator: Prof. Mario Llanos (UPS)