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Freedom, Justice, Sincerity: Reflections on the Life and Spirituality of Mary Ward
Freedom Justice Sincerity Reflections on the Life and Spirituality of Mary Ward Author:Christine Burke It is an inspiring story that has been muted over the past 400 years. For much of this time Mary Ward's role in changing the place of women in the Church was suppressed by Church authorities with their own unshakeable version of what women could (or could not) achieve. This remarkable Englishwoman began her company of sisters in 1609 and toda... more »y has followers in large cities and remote villages, in schools, universities and parishes and in justice networks, retreat centers and welfare services on every continent. Yet this was a woman who was ridiculed and imprisoned for pursuing her basic insight that women could both be religious and work to build the faith of their neighbors. It was not until 1909 that the Church finally allowed her sisters to name her as founder of the Institute. Christine Burke's small volume celebrates the life of a woman of great faith and insight - always loyal to the church, resourceful, courageous and determined - a woman who never gave up on her own truth. Christine Burke spent four months in 2003 on a sabbatical in Cambridge where she followed up on her life-long interest in Mary Ward, researching and reflecting on the implications of her story for today. In her current role as province leader for Australia, Christine is aware that many past students and colleagues find both inspiration and challenge in this story, yet Mary Ward is far from well known beyond a small circle. Christine's ministry background has been mainly in theology, adult education and pastoral formation with a particular interest in connecting the Christian heritage with current issues.« less