Nairobi, 16 January, 2020 / 1:55 am (ACI Africa).
Members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) are seeking to empower women in Africa to be able to engage credibly in the conversation about matters of faith through a sponsorship program dubbed “St. Ignatius Scholarship for Women Theologians,” a move that is consistent with the mission of the centuries-old institution and the pastoral guidelines of Pope Francis, also a Jesuit.
“The Jesuit School of Theology of Hekima University College (HUC) in Nairobi, Kenya, is delighted to announce the ‘St. Ignatius Scholarship for Women Theologians’. This scholarship is for African women (Religious or Lay) to study towards the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) or the Master of Theology/Licentiate in Sacred Theology,” read in part the poster announcing the scholarship.
In an interview with ACI Africa, the Coordinator of the theology scholarship, Jesuit Fr. Peter Knox explained the reason behind the initiative.
“In line with the pastoral focus of Pope Francis and the orientations of the Society of Jesus (of) walking with the marginalized, the Jesuit School of Theology is concerned that not enough women’s voices and insights are being heard in the Catholic Church in Africa, particularly when it comes to matters concerning faith,” the Nairobi-based Jesuit, who lectures at HUC told ACI Africa Tuesday, January 14.
He further described studies in Theology as “faith seeking understanding” and “the best way to come to understand and express our faith beyond the level of catechism.”
