Women in the Church and in the Synod

We are bringing women participants of the World Synod of Bishops together with students for an academic exchange. Join us Wednesdays 14:15-16:00 CET for discussions! Course instructors are Prof. Dr. Klara Csiszar and Dr. Adela Muchova.

Course Description 

The speakers will reflect on the role of women in the church and discuss various topics from the Synthesis Report (October 2023) with students from the Catholic University in Linz and partner universities worldwide. The interdisciplinary theological approach will be followed with a pastoral theological contextualization. The working sessions are based on the Synthesis Report (Oct 28, 2023) and elaborate various topics as they were discussed during the First Session of the Synod (October 2023). Every week a different speaker presents one topic of the Synthesis and reflects especially on the expertise and experience of women in the Synod. As the speakers – the synod participants – represent various regions, continents, roles and responsibilities, they will offer a contextualization of chosen topics in their specific field of ministry and in the global church. 

The honored speakers include Nathalie Becquart (Vatican/France), Klara Csiszar (Austria/Romania), Anna Beatrice Faye (Burkina Faso), Helena Jeppesen-Spuhler (Switzerland), Jolanta Maria Kafka (Poland/Spain), Rafael Luciani (Venezuela/USA), Ladislav Nemet (Serbia/CCEE), Nora K. Nonterah (Ghana), Julia Oseka, (Poland/USA), Estela Padilla (Philippines), Susan Pascoe (Australia), Sheila Leocadia Pires  (Mozambique/South Africa), Myriam Wijlens, (the Netherlands/Germany), Marie Kolbe Zamora (USA/Vatican).

The course sessions will examine the following topics from the Synthesis Report: Synodality, Experience and Understanding; the Eastern Churches and Latin Church Traditions; A church “out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation”; Church is Mission; the Bishop in Ecclesial Communion; Women in the Life and Mission of the Church; a Synodal Approach to Formation; Towards a Listening and Accompanying Church; Structures for Participation; the Relevance of Canonical Provisions in a Synodal Church; the Church-Governance. Specific attention will be given to the role of women in the church.

The course is designed as a chance for an international exchange: students from various partner universities of KU Linz from all over the world are welcome to participate in this online course (3 ECTS available to students). The sessions take place online on Wednesdays, between March 6 and June 26, 2024, in the time from 14:15 to 16:00 CET (08:15-10:00am EST; 10:15-12:00am BRT; 21:15-23:00pm HKT). The online access will be sent to registered students on March 4, 2024. 

Expectations and Goals 

The objectives of this seminar are (1) to engage in discussions with women participants of the Synod; (2) to examine related synodal themes from various perspectives; and (3) to outline possible pastoral and ministerial models for the future considering the role of women in the synodal church.

The seminar is based on active student participation: the sessions consist of short lectures and discussion with speakers, group discussions and theological contextualization. The working language is English; students are expected to communicate at level A2-B1. It is expected that the participants read the synodal Synthesis from October 2023 in advance to be ready for discussions. Interested students outside theology are welcome too. All study materials will be available online. 

Grading Policy 

Final grading reflects online attendance and active participation in discussions and group reflections (70%) and a short reflection paper (30%) ranging between 6.000 and 8.000 characters.

Registration Information 

Registration period: February 12, 2024 – March 8, 2024 

• Students from KU Linz: standard registration procedure
• International students from KU Linz partner universities: free of charge

More information on student registration provides Ruzica Romic from the International office KU Linz, r.romic[at]ku-linz.at

• Guest participants: 150 EUR for a course. The interested persons shall contact a course coordinator Adela Muchova from the Institute of Pastoral Theology KU Linz, a.muchova[at]ku-linz.at Please, indicate the “DKT-7-VZ Pastoral Theology” as the subject.

Should anyone wish to attend the whole seminar and is unable to pay the fee, please contact the Vice-rector for Teaching, Research, and Internationalization for a financial support: Prof. Klara Csiszar, k.csiszar[at]ku-linz.at

Course Material 

The Synthesis Report (October 28, 2023) is available online, language versions accessible. Other study materials and texts for further reading will be distributed to registered students.

Course Schedule 

Organizer: The Institute of Pastoral Theology, Catholic Private University Linz, Austria 

More information:

https://ku-linz.at/theologie/institute/pastoraltheologie/news