“We must reduce the emphasis on the idea of authority. It is fundamentally a service to be carried out with humility.”
As the first session of the Synodal Assembly in Rome draws to a close on Sunday, Sr Maria Nirmalini, Indian religious, superior general of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel, expresses her opinion on one of its most debated topics – the role of women in the Church.
Nirmalini is also president of the Conference of the Religious of India and participates in the Synod among the members designated by the Union of Superiors General.
“It is not a journey that will end here, the Synod is a process that will continue,” – adds Sr. Nirmalini. ”We are looking for leadership that is inclusive of all women, young lay people as well as consecrated women: this is the leadership we are looking at.”
In India the superior of the apostolic Carmel leads the over 130 thousand local religious women, in a context in which the reflection on the role of women and the recognition of their equal dignity has to deal with a patriarchal system still deeply rooted in society and also in Church itself.
“I took on this role,” she said, “when the Indian Church was experiencing various challenges from within and without, such as sexual exploitation, gender inequality, an unjust wage system, clericalism. I don’t pretend that the situation has changed now. But we have put in place clear plans and systems to address these challenges appropriately.”
On the issue of harassment, she states without hesitation that “silent suffering no longer makes sense. We need to develop platforms for mutual sharing and psychological well-being.”
On the phase that will open at the end of this first session of the Synod, you said that by returning to India you will continue to work so that the synod process involves “all members of the communities”.