“Speaking as a man, I find myself deprived by the loss of women’s voices in the culture. The recovery of women’s voices certainly is justified in terms of fairness to 50% of the race. But it also would be a huge asset – often not recognized as such – to the other 50% if there were a better balance. If women were allowed to be, and encouraged to be, women in their own feminine fullness, that would help men enormously to recognize the proper character of being masculine in the societal context.”

Dr. Michael Vertin, Emeritus Professor, University of St. Michael’s College

 

“It might seem banal to speak of the importance and contribution of women in theology and the Church, but this celebration was necessary. Beyond the gift of lives shared, this celebration gave me the time and space to listen to women, to pay attention to their hopes and struggles to be themselves in the world and to be taken seriously as thinkers, as critically intelligent Christians in the Church. Their stories were able to expose, with a clarity not often achieved, what it means to experience God’s call. Their openness and honesty was inclusive, allowing me to walk with them on their way. The event itself – the coming together of so many strong and faithful women – was (precisely because they were women) a genuine experience of a Church “where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female.” In God’s Image: A Celebration of Women in Theology left me feeling gifted to be a theologian whose ministry is daily enriched by the presence and commitment of women.”

Dr. Richard Shields, Emeritus Professor, University of St. Michael’s College