The Joint Diploma in “Women and the Church: Women and Men in a Synodal Community” is an initiative shared between the Institute for Higher
Studies on Woman of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, the Pontifical Urbaniana University, the Pontifical Salesian University, the
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium, the Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life
Claretianum, the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and the Theological Faculty Teresianum.

The course deepens the specific contribution of women in the life and mission of the Church, to activate processes of mutual collaboration between
women and men in ecclesial spaces. This reflection is linked to the question of the lay faithful, posed above all by the Second Vatican Council and not yet fully lived. Alongside the many examples of fruitful collaboration between men and women in the life and mission of the Church, there are also cultural and other barriers which obscure their reciprocity and effective cooperation. Moreover, the Church is convinced of the need to count on the contribution of women where decisions are made. The journey must begin with a renewed understanding of the dignity of the baptismal priesthood, avoiding the clericalization of the laity in general and of women  in particular. Moreover, the Church needs to discover her feminine and maternal face, in order to live her vocation to the full. The horizon in which this reflection is placed is that of a Church that must make a journey of conversion to synodality. What is the role of women in this context?

The setting of the general program follows the dynamic of listening, discerning and acting. Listening as a missionary disciple: understanding the current challenges in different contexts: lights and shadows of the situation of women within the Church and of the collaboration between clerics and laity, enlightened by the gaze of faith and taking into account the fruitful examples of collaboration between men and women and the difficult recognition of women in different geographical contexts. Discern: understand the causes of these challenges (cultural, historical and anthropological factors), the
foundations and criteria to refer to to guide thought and action. Act: outline paths to follow, necessary tools to walk towards the conversion and renewal of the Church, starting from the perspectives opened by the Second Vatican Council.

The course is aimed at priests, men and women religious and lay people (men and women) involved in the ecclesial sphere at the curial, diocesan, academic level, or in formative roles in the various  forms of consecrated or associative life, who want to increase awareness and activate processes
in these areas, to promote greater and better collaboration between men and women within the Church.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

• Christoph Betschart o.c.d, Theological Faculty Teresianum
• Anita Cadavid, Institute for Higher Studies on Woman (APRA)
• Lorella Congiunti, Pontifical Urbaniana University
• Catherine Droste, Pontifical University Thomas Aquinas
• Mario Llanos, Pontifical Salesian University (UPS)
• Grazia Loparco, Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium
• Pilar Rio, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
• Marta Rodriguez, Institute for Higher Studies on Woman (APRA)
• Nicla Spezzati, Pontifical Lateran University, Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life Claretianum

PROFESSORS

• Maria José Chavéz,  Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA)
• Lorella Congiunti, Urbaniana Pontifical University
• Daniela Del Gaudio, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA)
• Catherine Droste, Pontifical University Thomas Aquinas
• Mario Llanos, Salesian Pontifical University (UPS)
• Grazia Loparco, Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium
• Karen Lorenzo, theologian and teacher of sacred scriptures
• Marcela Mazzini, Catholic University of Argentina
• Tasio Pérez Salido, University Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid)
• Pilar Rio,  Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
• Giancarlo Rocca,  Urbaniana Pontifical University
• Jaime Rodriguez, University Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid)
• Marta Rodriguez, Institute for Higher Studies on Woman (APRA)
• Nicla Spezzati, Pontifical Lateran University
• Maria Lia Zervino, The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO)

1. Socio-historical – Module coordinators: Prof Grazia Loparco, Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium and Prof. Nicla Spezzati Pontofical Lateran University
2. Anthropological (philosophical and theological) – Module Coordinators: Prof. Lorella Congiunti, Pontifical Urbaniana University and Prof. Marta
   Rodriguez, Institute for Higher Studies on Woman (APRA)
3. Ecclesiological: Module Coordinator: Prof. Pilar Rio, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
4. Workshops – Coordinator of the Workshops: Prof. Mario Llanos, Pontifical Salesian University (UPS).