The thesis is situated in the interface between psychology and Christian spirituality. It explores the experience of women in the South African context making the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius as a Nineteenth Annotation Retreat. The results of the study show that shifts in image of self and image of God are facilitated by the imaginal and dialogical/relational processes in the Spiritual Exercises. A qualitative, hermeneutical approach was taken in which nineteen women were interviewed about their experience of making the Spiritual Exercises. Fifteen of these were interviewed after completing the Spiritual Exercises while four were interviewed during the process. Shifts towards more positive self and God-representations were reported by all but one of the women interviewed. Images of God shifted from distant or ambivalent to positive relational images. Images of self also shifted in concert with shifts in image of self, with the women coming to see themselves as intrinsically valuable and unconditionally loved by God. A marked lessening in defensive processes was also noted. A constructive interpretation of the themes which emerged from an analysis of the data was done from both psychological perspective and spiritual-theological perspectives. From a psychological perspective Object-Relations theory and Dialogical Self theory were used to better understand the mechanisms enabling shifts in God and self-representation. From a spiritual theological perspective, Rahner’s (1960, 1964) relational theology of grace shed light on the spiritual processes in the Spiritual Exercises which facilitate shifts in image of God and self. Imaginal dialogical or relational aspects of the Exercises were found to play an important role in facilitating shifts in both image of self and image of God. The findings of this study provide compelling evidence for the interplay between psychological and spiritual processes in the Spiritual Exercises in particular, and spiritual experience in general, resonating with the work of Meissner (1987, 2003) and Ulanov (2001). It also resonates with Rahner’s (1960, 1964) theology of grace as God’s self-communication which parallels the move in psychology towards the relational which is strongly evident in both object-relations theory and the more recent Dialogical Self psychology. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

This study investigates the paid and unpaid work experiences of Indian Christian women in Pietermaritzburg as they would inform a framework for a gendered theology of work. Intersecting gender and development theory with theologies of work, the study asserts that gender, particularly as it relates to understandings of what constitutes "work", has been neglected by theologians. In order to better understand the "work" roles of women, gender and development theorist, Caroline Moser (1993) has provided a framework. She asserts that women‘s work roles can be categorized in three important ways namely, productive work, reproductive work and community work. The gender-based division of labour has contributed to socially ascribed gender roles that cause women to be primarily responsible for monotonous, exasperating, tiring, time-consuming and economically unrewarding activities. Men on the other hand occupy "productive" roles that are economically rewarding and community roles that are usually seen as prestigious. Similar roles carried out by women are often not rewarded and are undervalued. Due to the social construction of differentiated gender roles, tasks associated with the reproduction of society fall almost entirely to women. Moser‘s (1993) conceptualization of women‘s roles is useful in this study, highlighting the different types of work that Indian women are involved in. However, this gendered analysis has not been prevalent in existing theologies of work. Rather, these focus solely on doctrinal, class or ethics perspectives. Furthermore, it is argued that these theologies of work are developed without the first-hand knowledge of the experiences, struggles and challenges that workers themselves encounter. This is particularly the case for women workers. In order to investigate women‘s work experiences in this study, extensive fieldwork was carried with a group of Indian Christian women in Pietermaritzburg. Four research tools, namely a questionnaire, a 24-hour time study diary, semi structured interviews and focus group discussions were developed and employed to better understand their work roles. The findings revealed that Indian women continue to remain confined to these roles of productive, reproductive and community work because of the impact of culture as well as religion. While some Indian women have entered the productive market and are financial contributors to households, they still assume the roles that are culturally seen as 'women‘s work‘. In addition, their theological understandings and Biblical interpretations of work have resulted in women remaining acquiescent to such roles which are often depicted as 'the ideal woman‘. In a context where women find themselves immersed in roles of production, reproduction and community work, it is crucial that theological reflection engages these work experiences which are intertwined with women‘s faith practices. This study is an attempt to do this as it offers a framework that points toward a gendered theology of work. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Lesotho, like any other country in the world, has suffered economic problems that saw many Basotho able-bodied males migrating to the Republic of South Africa, in search of employment since the nineteen century. The mass exodus of men to become migrant workers left a vacuum of responsibilities at home, which women and men used to share. This imposition of men's responsibility on women has become a burden which they were never prepared for, and for that reason, many women find it impossible to cope with this double burden in the absence of their husbands. Besides creating disharmony in the family, it has also caused gender clashes between women and their husbands who will not let go their role of headship ofthe household. Rather than let their wives take over full responsibility ofthe household, in their absence, husbands feel threatened and try to be in charge of the household through 'remote control', while in the mines. Because many men refuse to affirm women in their new responsibility, results in a big crisis for women, who feel that their husbands do not respect and trust them. The purpose of my research, therefore, is to try and address women's crisis through counselling. Because many of these women are members of the church, I feel the church faces the biggest challenge to alleviate the women's crisis through counselling. It is my hope, then, that women in turn, will avail themselves of counselling finding it a good tool to deal with their crisis. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

No description available.

This dissertation examines the experience that women have of the church. Work was done with groups of women in the Eastern Cape to hear their first hand experiences on this subject. A study was also made of the experiences of women as recorded in other parts of Africa and the world. South African women are situated within the broader context of society, thus also matters pertaining to this broader context were examined.The situation facing South African women in society and within the church is complex and difficult. In the final chapter, rather than looking at how women could change external structures, the focus is on women paying attention to themselves. The great importance of women honouring themselves, and giving themselves priority, and that of developing a spiritual practice that is nurturing and relevant to their lives, were suggested as a prerequisite for effective change on a wider level. An emphasis was thus put on the inner world of the woman, where, it is argued, many South African women need to experience a revolution. That women need support in this journey was stressed, with the participation in women's groups seen as being transforming for women. / Systematic Theology / Th. M. (System Theology)

A presente dissertação tem como objetivo geral detectar e analisar a construção de uma nova identidade psicossocial e ético-religiosa feminina, através da vivência e das representações que a universitária católica recifense faz sobre as orientações do magistério da Igreja Católica concernentes à mulher diante os desafios do mundo contemporâneo. O trabalho visa resgatar as principais orientações da Igreja sobre mulher depois do Concílio Vaticano II, levantar dados sobre a realidade da mulher brasileira nos campos de corporeidade, sexualidade e saúde reprodutiva e confrontar o magistério da Igreja com a espiritualidade vivenciada pela mulher ante os desafios que enfrenta hoje. A hermenêutica de gênero é usada como instrumento de interpretação na análise do magistério da Igreja e dos resultados da pesquisa. As duas instituições de ensino superior (IES) de orientação religiosa católica, a Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (CATÒLICA) e a Faculdade Frassinetti de Recife (FAFIRE), participantes da pesquisa de campo, colaboraram na verificação, junto às suas alunas católicas, da construção da sua identidade psicossocial e ético-religiosa e da vivência da sua espiritualidade feminina. Como parte da metodologia, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo com a aplicação de um questionário fechado de 31 questões a uma amostra aleatória de um total de 178 universitárias, das duas IES. Houve análises quantitativa e qualitativa de dados, com a proposta de posterior transferência de resultados às IES e outras instituições/conselhos interessados no tema. Os resultados demonstram os elementos constitutivos da nova identidade da universitária católica recifense nos aspectos psicológico, social, ético-religioso e cultural no enfrentamento de desafios contemporâneos diante do Magistério da Igreja Católica podem contribuir para estimular a reflexão sobre possíveis estratégias integradoras da vivência da nova identidade psicossocial e ético-religiosa feminina na mesma. / The principal objective of this dissertation is to detect and analyse the construction of a new psicological, social and ethicalreligious identity of the female catholic university student in Recife. By means of her life style and conceptual representations, she evidences a confrontation between the Catholic Churchs magistery and the challenges she faces in todays world. This academic work proposes to indicate the Catholic Churchs principal orientations about women elaborated since Vatican Council II, to identify problemas faced by women referring to corporality, sexuality and reproductive health and to confront the Churchs teachings with the living spirituality of the women as they face challenges in the modern world. Gender hermeneutics is used as the interpretative instrument of analysis of the Churchs magistery and the results of the reseach. A characterization of the two Institutions of Superior Education, the Catholic University of Pernambuco (CATÒLICA) and the Frassinetti College of Recife (FAFIRE), where the survey was conducted, has been elaborated, as well as the verification of the catholic female students construction of their new psychological, social and ethical-religious identity, and the day by day living of their feminine spirituality. The methodology of the research involves a field survey of 178 catholic women, from the two educational institutions, by means of a questionnaire with 31 closed questions. The conclusions are a result of quantitative and qualitative analyses, which will later be socialized with the educational institutions and other institutions and councils interested in this theme. The results of the research are the identification of the psycological, social, ethical, religious and cultural elements constituting the new identity of the female catholic university student in Recife as she faces contemporary challenges in her relation with the Catholic Church magistery. It is hoped that these results will contribute to a reflection about possible integrative educational and pastoral strategies to help catholic women live their new identity in this complex world.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nosso estudo, QUE FIZERAM ELLAS? As Filhas de Maria e a Boa Imprensa no Recife, 1902-1922, teve por objetivo analisar a participação das jovens associadas da Pia União das Filhas de Maria, na imprensa católica, durante as duas primeiras décadas do século XX, no Recife. A atuação das Filhas de Maria interessa às Ciências da Religião, pelo fato de que suas associadas ao mesmo tempo em que defendiam e propagavam estruturas conservadoras de origem religiosa, como a moral, os bons costumes e a vida no lar, também se destacaram por exercerem atividades leigas e modernas, como uma forte participação na imprensa católica. Nesta análise estabelecemos a relação entre o particular (a associação) e o geral (a sociedade). Assim, analisamos documentos específicos da Pia União das Filhas de Maria, bem como documentos referentes a sociedade como um todo. Como referencial teórico, adotamos o conceito de habitus, proposto por Pierre Bourdieu; e a ideia de disciplina, sugerida por Michel Foucault. Isso nos permitiu uma melhor compreensão das estruturas da Pia União, e da atuação de suas sócias na imprensa. Ao final deste trabalho, chegamos a conclusão de que a presença das Filhas de Maria no campo da imprensa foi uma conquista destas jovens devido aos exemplos de vida e devoção das mesmas, bem como de seus esforços na propagação da boa imprensa neste período / Our study, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? The Daughters of Mary and the Good Press in Recife, 1902-1922, analyzes the participation of the young members of the Pious Union of the Daughters of Mary, in the catholic press during the two first decades of the Twenty- First Century in Recife. The activity of the Daughters of Mary interests the Sciences of Religion because while defending and propagating conservative religious structures as well as good customs and family life, they were also engaged in modern activities in the participation in the catholic press. In this analysis we establish the relation between the part (an association) and the whole (society). Using the idea of habitus of Pierre Bourdieu and the concept of discipline from Michel Foucault, we analyze specific documents of the Pious Union of the Daughters of May as well as those referring to society at large. This gives us a better comprehension of the structures of the Pious Union and the activity of their members in the press. In conclusion, we show that the presence of the Daughters of Mary in the press was a victory for them due to examples of their life and devotion as well as their efforts in the propagation the good press in this period

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_walter_amaral.pdf: 1913264 bytes, checksum: 1ac81db86196d5fe94869c05a2816ede (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Our study, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? The Daughters of Mary and the Good Press in Recife, 1902-1922, analyzes the participation of the young members of the Pious Union of the Daughters of Mary, in the catholic press during the two first decades of the Twenty- First Century in Recife. The activity of the Daughters of Mary interests the Sciences of Religion because while defending and propagating conservative religious structures as well as good customs and family life, they were also engaged in modern activities in the participation in the catholic press. In this analysis we establish the relation between the part (an association) and the whole (society). Using the idea of habitus of Pierre Bourdieu and the concept of discipline from Michel Foucault, we analyze specific documents of the Pious Union of the Daughters of May as well as those referring to society at large. This gives us a better comprehension of the structures of the Pious Union and the activity of their members in the press. In conclusion, we show that the presence of the Daughters of Mary in the press was a victory for them due to examples of their life and devotion as well as their efforts in the propagation the good press in this period / Nosso estudo, QUE FIZERAM ELLAS ? As Filhas de Maria e a Boa Imprensa no Recife, 1902-1922, teve por objetivo analisar a participação das jovens associadas da Pia União das Filhas de Maria, na imprensa católica, durante as duas primeiras décadas do século XX, no Recife. A atuação das Filhas de Maria interessa às Ciências da Religião, pelo fato de que suas associadas ao mesmo tempo em que defendiam e propagavam estruturas conservadoras de origem religiosa, como a moral, os bons costumes e a vida no lar, também se destacaram por exercerem atividades leigas e modernas, como uma forte participação na imprensa católica. Nesta análise estabelecemos a relação entre o particular (a associação) e o geral (a sociedade). Assim, analisamos documentos específicos da Pia União das Filhas de Maria, bem como documentos referentes a sociedade como um todo. Como referencial teórico, adotamos o conceito de habitus, proposto por Pierre Bourdieu; e a ideia de disciplina, sugerida por Michel Foucault. Isso nos permitiu uma melhor compreensão das estruturas da Pia União, e da atuação de suas sócias na imprensa. Ao final deste trabalho, chegamos a conclusão de que a presença das Filhas de Maria no campo da imprensa foi uma conquista destas jovens devido aos exemplos de vida e devoção das mesmas, bem como de seus esforços na propagação da boa imprensa neste período

No description available.

African-American and Zimbabwean women live and do theology from different cultural and contextual worldviews, although they share the same skin colour. The narrative stories of three Zimbabwean and one African-American Christian women and how they share inter culturally the struggle of identity, identity-formation and survival/liberation while maintaining their cultural uniqueness form die basis of this research project. These shared experiences can offer significant contributions to the broader feminist liberation theology. The Christian faith has served as a shared source of sustenance, resilience, healing and renewal as well as a shared source for constructive and affirming identity-formation for Zimbabwean and African-American women. Consequently, building strong relationships that address contextual issues facing women of Africa and the Diaspora, as suggested by this research, offers significant opportunities for eliminating some of the barriers and boundaries that prevent Zimbabwean and African- American women from enjoying the quality of life that God meant for everyone. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)