Webinar: Empowered Consecrated Women in a Synodal Church – Thursday 28th April 2022 at 3pm(EAT)
“What would the Church be without religious sisters and consecrated laywomen?
The Church cannot be understood without them.
Thank you for who you are, for what you do, and for how you do it.”
Pope Francis“Listening is the first step, but it requires having an open mind and heart,
without prejudices.
To whom does our particular Church “need to listen to”?
How do we integrate the contribution of Consecrated Men and Women?”
Preparatory Document, 30 (ii)
The Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) invites you to a Zoom webinar on synodality and consecrated women. Women religious all over the world contribute to the Church’s mission through their diverse vocations of service. They journey closely with the People of God and have a deep knowledge of their dreams, joys and sorrows. Women religious enrich the Church through their witness and work as theologians, teachers, spiritual guides and professionals in many careers. Yet their service and contribution to the mission of the Church are neither always acknowledged nor appreciated. Pope Francis has invited consecrated women to discern best how they can respond to their challenges and those facing humanity. This Synod offers an opportunity for the Church to listen to the experiences, hopes and dreams of consecrated women.
What is the place of African consecrated women in the Church today? How do they participate in decisions affecting them in a synodal Church? Join us in this synodal conversation with ACWECA panellists, to listen to the voices of African consecrated women: Sr. Agnes Lando, Sr. Teresa Mulenga and Sr. Mishael Manianga.
| Panellists
Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando, PhD (Kenya) is a member of the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega, Kenya. She is Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies and Director of Research and Graduate Studies at Daystar University, Kenya. Sr. Agnes developed the Daystar University Scholarship Update (DSU) to document the university’s research, grants and publication activities. Through the Interuniversity Graduate Students’ Forum, she has facilitated linkages with numerous graduate students and early career researchers. In 2016, Sr. Agnes became the first African elected Board Member-at-Large of the International Communication Association, USA. Her upcoming books to be published in 2022 include: Religion and Online Community in African Contexts and The Kenyan Story: From Children’s Talent Performance to Edutainment. Sr. Teresa Mulenga (Malawi) belongs to the Sisters of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus (Teresian Sisters). She is the Programs Coordinator of the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) Malawi. ASEC provides education opportunities to Catholic nuns in Africa to serve their communities better. Sr. Teresa also lectures part-time at the Catholic University of Malawi in Lilongwe. She has previously worked with the Malawi Ministries of Education and Health. Her areas of expertise are teaching, policy planning and leadership, research, guidance and counselling. She lives by the motto: “Do good always and never grow tired of doing what is right.” Sr. Mishael Manianga (Zambia) is a member of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit. She is the Congregation’s Assistant Superior General since 2019. Her areas of expertise are pastoral ministry, leadership and animation. As a pastoral worker, she has served mainly in catechetical works and the formation of the laity. Sr. Mishael is the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator for the Diocese of Monze, Zambia. She values the empowerment of the laity as an investment in the growth of the Local Church. Moderator Sr. Helen Kasaka (Zambia) is a member of the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate. From 2007 to 2013, she worked as the National Communications Director for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi. Sr. Helen has conducted research in the formation, vitality and sustainability of religious life for women. She contributed a chapter to the book: Transformative Partnerships: The Role of Agencies, Church and Religious Institutes in Promoting Social and Sustainable Change in Africa (2019). Currently, she serves as the ACWECA Secretariat Communications Officer. The discussion will be available in English and French. |
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