Review of Body and Sexuality-Theological and Pastoral Perspectives of Women in Asia, by Lieve Troch

The book gives me real joy. To read the book is like looking at the mirror in two ways: Western Europeans have neglected their bodies and how they are struggling with the same issues. The book confronts me with Asians creative discourse about body and sexuality. The quilt that was made in EWA 1 was …

Representation: Struggles and Politics (The World Behind the 2nd EWA Volume)

by Agnes Brazal, Editor of Body and Sexuality, Pastoral and Theological Perspectives of Women in Asia. The EWA book publication is an important dimension of our mission to make the voices of Asian women theologians heard not only within the Church and the Academe in Asia, but also internationally. This task of representation, however, is …

EWA 2: Celebrating Asian Feminist Catholic Sexuality

by Andrea L. Si, co-editor of the EWA 2 Anthology, Body and Sexuality: Theological and Pastoral Reflections of Women in Asia Does our being born with a woman's body define who we are, what we can be, and with whom we can have a relationship? If you ask the priest, he will say "yes." Feminists …

EWA 3: Launch of EWA 2 Anthology

Program: I. Opening Prayer by Julia Ong Dear God, We thank you for this women’s space. We thank you for women’s word. Stretch our imaginations. Raise our voices. Expand our hearts. To love more and more like you. Amen. Reading of John 20 (poem by Julia Ong, ijs) II. Introducing the Book/Sharing of Editor’s Experiences: …

The Antiquenas Sexual Leaders

Abstract of the paper by Sr. Silvina Espanueva Tejares, Philippines The small Christian communities in thediocese of Antique are mostly led by women. Despite the obvious patriarchy in the Church and the discrimination there is against feminine leadership, our Antiquena leaders continue to get hold of the helm and their ministerial contributions cannot be watered down. …

Facing the Reality of Clergy Sexual Misconduct in the Church: A Step Toward Justice and Healing

Abstract of the paper by Nila Bermisa, Philippines The recent events of sexual abuse within the Church publicized by the news media have rocked the Catholic Church both as an institution and as a faith community. The fact that this topic has dominated the headlines worldwide highlights the extent of the sexual abuse in the Church …

The Passion of the Womb: Women Re-living the Eucharist

Abstract of the Paper by Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, India Jesus’ call to “Do this in memory of me”, is re-lived by women all over the world as they give off their bodies in the Eucharistic ritual of birthing and nurturing their young. Dying to one’s self so that another may have life in a process that …

The Body, a Testimony to Discipleship (John 19:25-27)

Abstract of the paper by Mary Cecilia Claparols, In John 19:25, we find the “silent presence of women standing near the cross of Jesus,” a powerful testimony to the implications of discipleship using another language: the body. The Johannine Jesus: God’s Logos in the human body (sarx) manifests God’s living presence (doxa) among us. We …

Bodily Representations of Hindu Goddesses, a Feminist Perspective

Abstract of the paper by A. Metti, India The cult of the mother goddess has an unbroken history in the Hindu religious ethos. If Brahman is fire, Sakti is its burning power. This energy or Sakti is ever pictured as female deity, as the consort of male deity. Four Hindu goddesses, consorts of male gods, …

India, the Land of the Kamasutra: Erotic Love and Christian Sexuality

Abstract: When we explore the theme of this year’s conference, namely “Body and Sexuality: theological-Pastoral Perspectives of Women in Asia” we bring into focus the particularities of culture and tradition. India today is a country of class and caste inequalities based on caste and sex discrimination. Women are victims both of caste and gender – …