Assistant Professor of Theology, Sr. Sarah Kohles released a book “Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church”. The book presents the struggle of theologically educated laywomen within the Catholic Church. The book is a collection of essays by eight laywomen and highlights their insights and experiences.
A four-year project has proved to be relevant at this moment in the Catholic Church. “Pope Francis has invited the worldwide church to engage in synod processes in which every Catholic has been asked to reflect together on how we gather as a church and listen to one another,” said Sr. Kohles. “My contribution to this book includes a challenge to sisters to consider how we might better support and encourage the leadership of lay women in the Catholic Church.”
Sr. Kohles received a grant, allowing contributors to participate in a discernment retreat and a writing retreat. The first retreat allowed participants to reflect and declare what part of the project they would be interested in. Those who were interested attended the writing retreat.
“Our days were framed with prayer, a significant time for writing, time to receive feedback from the other contributors, as well as an introduction to the writing and publishing processes,” said Sr. Kohles. “These women offer their wisdom and insights about what it means to be women in the Catholic Church and place their insights in the context of a listening church. Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church is a book that is both challenging and hopeful.”