Anglican leader Sarah Mullally met on April 28 in Rome with the Council of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), in a meeting focused on the role of women in the Church and the promotion of ecumenical dialogue, as reported by the organization itself.
The meeting emphasized the feminine contribution both in ecclesial life and in society, within a framework that the UISG presented as a path of “collaboration and co-responsibility” and the search for unity among Christians.
The Protagonism of Women in the Church
During the meeting, the role of consecrated women in various contexts around the world was highlighted, especially in situations of vulnerability. The UISG underscored “the witness of consecrated women, committed daily to promoting human dignity, care, and education, often in complex and challenging situations.”
From shared experiences from countries on different continents, the organization noted that a “feminine presence emerges capable of generating relationships, accompanying processes, and building bridges between communities and cultures.”
“Walking Together” as a Common Horizon
The meeting was also marked by the language of “walking together,” an expression that the UISG presents as central in the current moment. According to the statement, this dynamic involves “recognizing and welcoming differences—cultural, spiritual, and theological—and, at the same time, seeking a common step oriented toward building authentic relationships and the search for unity.”
In that line, the organization maintains that “being ‘one thing’ does not mean uniformity, but the ability to live diversity as a gift,” in a formulation that places emphasis on the coexistence of different sensitivities within Christianity.
Ecumenical Dialogue and Cooperation
From her experience in London, Mullally emphasized the importance of collaboration between Christian communities and also in interreligious contexts, especially in the face of common social challenges.
The UISG notes that this concrete cooperation can contribute to addressing problems such as inequalities in health and education, while highlighting “the significant role of women in promoting real changes within communities.”
The meeting took place in a context of dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, separated from Rome since the 16th century, and concluded with a moment of prayer and silence that the UISG described as a gesture of “entrusting the common path to the Spirit.”