The Australian Women’s Canon Law Scholarship is a collaborative initiative being developed by a group of women religious congregations in Australia, reports the Mary MacKillop News.

The scholarship has emerged from a shared recognition of the need to support the formation of women in Canon Law, particularly women who may be able to contribute to the future of religious life, Church governance, Public Juridic Persons, stewardship, and the civil–canonical interface.

Sr Monica Cavanagh of the Sisters of St Joseph, who are part of the initiative, said the scholarship is intended to support one or more women to undertake formal studies in Canon Law, while also participating in a strong formation pathway. This will include a study pathway through St Pauls University (Ottawa, Canada), mentoring, engagement with congregations, participation in relevant conferences, governance exposure, and ongoing reflection and feedback throughout the life of the scholarship.

“The aim is not simply to fund academic study, but to form women who can serve the Church with legal clarity, pastoral sensitivity, maturity, and a deep understanding of religious life,” she wrote in the Mary MacKillop News.

“The scholarship is being developed as a shared investment in future canonical capacity for women religious, Catholic Religious Australia, and the wider Church in Australia.

“We are now inviting Expressions of Interest from women who may feel drawn to this pathway, or who may have the gifts, experience, maturity and interest to explore it further.

“You’re warmly invited to share this opportunity through your own networks and to personally encourage anyone you feel may be suited to, or interested in, this pathway. Suitable candidates may come from a range of backgrounds, including theology, ministry, education, leadership, governance, law, Church administration, or community service.

“It is our hope that, through this scholarship, we can contribute to the formation of women who will serve religious life and the wider Church for many years to come.”

Further information can be found here: Australian Women in Canon Law Scholarship.

This article by Sr Monica Cavanagh RSJ was published in Mary MacKillop News.