“The ‘Leadership for mission’ course is designed by and for women who feel inspired by the Gospel to a vision of justice, freedom, and dignity of the human being. Through a series of training sessions, the program brings together women’s leadership experiences within the Church in the context of an academic and collaborative learning environment.” This is what was read in a note sent to Fides News Agency by the Council for Australian Catholic women, which illustrates the two-year course, starting after the summer, open to Catholic women from all over Australia and aged between 25 and 35. The project stems from a joint initiative of the Council for Australian Catholic Women, of the Bishops’ Conference of Australian bishops, of the Catholic Mission (the Pontifical Mission Societies in Australia) and of the Australian Catholic University.
Through the reading of the Scriptures, theology, spirituality and the basic concepts of leadership, the program aims to “invite the participants to explore how and in what ways their own vocation can contribute to a vision of leadership for the church and society, promoting equity, equality, and reconciliation,” read the statement.
The initiative will be coordinated by Ursuline sister Ruth Durick, who from 2006 to 2009 supported the interreligious Brotherhood of young Catholic women and in the past carried out the role of provincial of the Ursuline nuns: “Sr. Ruth will provide a vast leadership experience, as well as a deep commitment to holistic training of young women in management roles. We could not have found a more suitable person,” added the note.
Sister Ruth Durick accepted the appointment stating that “there is a strong desire among women to be involved in leadership roles in the Church. There is also a strong appeal, in the 21st century, for space to expand so that women’s gifts can flourish, enriching the whole Church and society.”
