Women Theologians Reread Vatican II To Take Up a History and Prepare the Future: this is the title of the Women’s International Theological Conference held at the St. Anselm Pontifical Atheneum, Rome, Italy from 4-6 October 2012.
Theologians from all over the world came to Rome to participate in the 3-day meeting, which was dedicated to women’s relationship with Vatican Council II. During the work sessions, an ecumenical comparison was made regarding different spheres of theology and ecclesial life. It should be remembered that it was during Vatican Council II that women were represented for the first time in an assembly of bishops–an event that changed the Catholic Church and finally opened the doors to a joining of ecclesial faith with feminine knowledge.
On the final day of the Conference, a celebration entitled Tantum Aurora Est (Dawn Is Breaking) was held in the Via Conciliazione Auditorium. The purpose of the event was to remember the opening of the Council through images, words and music, highlight the participation of women in the Council, reflect on women’s presence in the Church after Vatican II and underscore women’s capacities to capitalize on their heritage.