Women’s Leadership and Service in the Catholic Church in Africa: a Case Study of Women Catechists in the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province of Ghana
This research investigates the experiences of female catechists within the Catholic Church in the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province of Ghana, highlighting the challenges encountered within a predominantly patriarchal and clerical institution. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with female...
| Autores principales: | ; |
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| Tipo de documento: | Electrónico Artículo |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Verificar disponibilidad: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Publicado: |
2025
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| En: |
Exchange
Año: 2025, Volumen: 54, Número: 2, Páginas: 95-112 |
| Otras palabras clave: | B
Patriarchy
B women in ministry B family responsibilities B Christian Leadership B Catholic Church B Clericalism B pastoral roles |
| Acceso en línea: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Sumario: | This research investigates the experiences of female catechists within the Catholic Church in the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province of Ghana, highlighting the challenges encountered within a predominantly patriarchal and clerical institution. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with female catechists, women aspiring to engage in catechetical formation, and male catechists. This qualitative study shares light on the complexities inherent in their roles and the systemic barriers that impede participation. The findings indicate that patriarchal norms, limited access to education, and the pervasive impact of clericalism significantly hinders women’s participation in ministry. Clericalism, in particular, perpetuates gender biases by centralizing authority within a largely male clergy, thereby restricting women’s access to leadership positions. Despite these challenges, instances of resilience and optimism among female catechists were also identified, alongside recent initiatives by church leaders designed to promote greater inclusivity. This research emphasizes the need for collaborative strategies to eliminate clerical and patriarchal systems, promoting a more egalitarian church that fully recognizes and values the contributions of both men and women. |
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| ISSN: | 1572-543X |
| Obras secundarias: | Enthalten in: Exchange
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/1572543x-bja10087 |
