"Conversations in the Spirit” to help women strengthen their role in the Church

By Sebastian Sanson Ferrari

Apply the synodal methodology and delve into the participation of women in a synodal Church on mission: that is the objective of the meeting "Conversations in the Spirit" that will take place on Tuesday, April 23 via Zoom and is organized by the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (UMOFC) in the framework of the synodal path.

The School of Synodality

Mónica Santamarina, president of the organization, explained to Vatican News  that the proposal is part of the School of Synodality and through this programme several women are receiving training on the five continents. They will moderate the small groups and ensure that the conversations develop according to the established dynamics. Up to 1,400 people from all over the world are expected to participate.

The meeting will enable the creation of small groups and in different languages ​​(English, Spanish and French) so that each participant can share their ideas and listen to other experiences and points of view. Each session will last an hour and a half and those interested can register to participate at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. (both Rome time). Space is limited and registration closes on April 18, although Santamarina assures that the deadline could be extended.

In addition to this space, in preparation for the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, WUCWO plans to launch a series of videos to share the testimony of the women who have participated.

Making the most of the charism and potential of women

Santamarina emphasizes the importance of opening paths make the most of the charism and potential of women, "because it is not always like that," she asserts. Likewise, they want to make the results of these dialogues known to the General Secretariat of the Synod and the general public. In turn, they will strengthen discernment about ways to include more women in existing ministries and roles, as well as the changes that would be required and why.

Santamarina expresses her excitement about Pope Francis' support for the work of WUCWO. In fact, the Holy Father  has met them in recent years and they have presented him with the Women's Observatory, one of the initiatives promoted by the entity: "He really liked the project and when we had a private audience last year, he encouraged us to continue working to reach the most vulnerable, and the idea of ​​this observatory is precisely, in some way, to make the invisible visible.”