Integration of Women in Our Church
A Pilgrimage to Rome in 2016
Pope Francis sets clear examples. People within and outside the church admire his achievements. His words and actions remind us of the essence of Christianity. He nurtures hope for a more human face of the church. In doing so, he criticises self-centeredness and calls for a church which "frees itself from isolation" (EG 21).
Initiative
We are also setting an example by going on a pilgrimage to Rome "for the integration of women in our church" from May to June 2016. Many women feel unwelcome, not taken seriously or alienated from our church, because they are insufficiently represented in authoritative committees and are not involved in the decision-making process. These concerns of so many people weigh on our shoulders. We want to share this burden with the Pope.
We wish that in the future, male church officials will no longer unilaterally reflect upon and decide on the position of women, their roles and functions in the church, as well as on interests concerning the church in general. We are walking 1'000 kilometres for the unity of men and women on all levels and for solidarity among brothers and sisters in a church that is open to dialogue.
Goal
Our starting point will be St. Gallen on 2 May 2016, the festive day of Holy Wiborada, aiming to arrive in Rome on 2 July 2016. We would like to share with the Pope all our longings, worries, joys and questions concerning this venture. In addition, we would like to share our experiences with him; how we live and experience our Christian identity as people who were christened and who are striving to grow within their different callings and spiritual gifts on a par with each other. It would be nice to celebrate this together with Pope Francis.
Invitation
Join us on our journey! Everybody can participate according to his or her own abilities. Take heart! Stand up and help us to make a change. Let us share how current, encouraging and powerful the Gospel is. The joy that we receive from our faith will be illuminated and will take away our fears and set us free.
Walking with Us
We will undertake this pilgrimage as a spiritual journey. Before, during, and after the completion in Rome, we invite you to participate in our quest of a global ("Catholic") unity:
- As a means of self-reflection, we will contribute daily inspirations to our website (www.kirche-mit.ch) from May 2015 until May 2016
- Take your own initiative and undertake your own local pilgrimage; with a group, with your family, with a partner or alone if you wish
- Form your own group and go on a pilgrimage to Rome within our time frame; by bicycle, motorbike, in a wheelchair, or on horseback
- Join the pilgrims’ team for a while. Further information will be posted on www.kirche-mit.ch
- Participate in the opening ceremony (2 May 2016, 11:00 am) in the Cathedral of St. Gallen
- Walk with us on the first day of our pilgrimage (2 May 2016)
- Share our striving for the integration of women in our church with the pilgrims on St. Peter’s Square in Rome on 2 July 2016
- Create your own ideas and initiatives "for a church inclusive of women"
- Support our pilgrimage by praying
- Support the project with a donation
Inner Circle of the Team
The pilgrims: Esther Rüthemann, Hildegard Aepli and Franz Mali
The organisational support team: Eva-Maria Faber, Urban Fink, Sister Irene Gassmann OSB, Damian Keller OFMCap, Lea Stocker