Catholicism and feminism are often seen as incompatible. In fact, in areas under the influence of the Catholic Church, there is a strong tradition of invoking religion to justify and perpetuate the submission of women and their relegation to the private sphere. Catholic doctrine, particularly the thesis of the complementarity of the sexes, continues to be used to challenge legislation and initiatives for gender equality that are so dear to feminist agendas. It is not uncommon to find disparaging mentions of feminism in Vatican documents and in speeches by members of the Catholic Church.

This Policredos webinar invites Ana Nunes de Almeida and Teresa Toldy, Portuguese intellectuals who have been noted for their scientific work in the areas of childhood and family (Nunes de Almeida) and feminist theologies (Toldy) and who publicly present themselves as Catholics and feminists. The conversation will focus on how, throughout their civic and scientific journeys, Catholic faith and formation have interacted with feminist convictions and actions. The important role of these researchers in high-profile national debates will be discussed, such as the issue of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Ana Nunes de Almeida was a member of the Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church, and Teresa Toldy had a significant media presence as a Catholic following the presentation of the report. This talk will also be an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the Catholic Church and feminisms in Portuguese society.

Conversation with Ana Nunes de Almeida and Teresa Toldy, moderated by Júlia Garraio and Luciane Lucas dos Santos

Bio notes

Ana Nunes de Almeida, sociologist, coordinating researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences (ICS) of the University of Lisbon, where she was President of the Scientific Council (2014-2023). She has carried out research in the areas of family and female labour, fertility, school, children and childhood. In December 2021, she was invited by P Strecht to join the Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse of Children in the Church (1950-2022), being one of the authors of the Report Dar Voz ao Silêncio [Giving Voice to Silence](2023).

Teresa Toldy, theologian, is a full professor at the Fernando Pessoa University in Porto, where she teaches Ethics. She was a researcher at CES, where she worked with Júlia Garraio and Luciane Lucas Santos to coordinate the Policredos Working Group. She is currently a researcher at CITCEM (Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Porto). She publishes in the area of feminist theologies and the relationship between gender and politics. Together with Alberta Giorgi and Júlia Garraio, she co-ordinated Religion, Gender and Populism in the Mediterranean (Routledge, 2024).

This activity will be provided through Zoom platform and does not require registration. Participation is limited to the number of places available >>https://zoom.us/j/87919019824 | ID: 879 1901 9824 | Password:413442

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