Reflection: Women in Dialogue - Vatican & Interreligious Diplomacy in Asia

Between August 29th and 30th, 2024, the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Program at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, in collaboration with the Asia Research Institute and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore, organised a conference titled “The Vatican & Inter-Religious Diplomacy in Asia.” This event, in anticipation of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to four Southeast Asian countries in September 2024, aimed to explore the Vatican's contributions to interfaith diplomacy in contemporary Asia. In addition to this primary focus, the conference delved into broader themes of religious diplomacy and regional interreligious dialogue.

In his presentation on the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue's efforts in Asia, Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku K. highlighted a crucial issue: the underrepresentation of women in interreligious dialogue, which I think calls for a reflection.

This exclusion or limitation of women's presence is not only a matter of equitable representation but also impacts the depth and effectiveness of interreligious diplomacy. The marginalisation of women’s voices in these dialogues limits understanding of them across different religious traditions. In regions where identity politics often infringe on women's rights and freedom of belief, the low representation of women in interreligious dialogue is particularly harmful, as it not only leaves them vulnerable to hate speech and hostility but also fails to capture the diverse lived experiences they bring to these discussions.

A critical reflection on Fratelli Tutti, the third encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled "On Fraternity and Social Friendship," is particularly relevant in addressing this issue:

Similarly, the organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men. We say one thing with words, but our decisions and reality tell another story. Indeed, “doubly poor are those women who endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment and violence, since they are frequently less able to defend their rights.

Pope Francis accurately identifies the core of the problem. While there is a stated intention to improve women's representation in interreligious dialogue, the actions required to amplify their voices and expand their leadership roles still need to be stronger. Whether this is a matter of supply or demand is uncertain, but it is clear that the issue has yet to be prioritised within the framework of interreligious diplomacy. As discussed in my Master's Thesis on "Strengthening the Representation and Role of Women within Interfaith Movements in Singapore," a persistent struggle exists to integrate women’s voices into the androcentric narratives often perpetuated by religious traditions and patriarchal structures. Although feminist theology and related movements have made strides in empowering women within religious spaces, the interfaith dialogue arena could benefit from more concerted efforts to be genuinely inclusive.

One broader challenge within interreligious diplomacy is the rigid notion of "leadership" and the reliance on traditional dialogue formats. These limitations can constrain the efficacy of such efforts. In my Master's thesis, "Strengthening the representation and role of women within interfaith movements in Singapore," I suggest facilitating feminist interfaith movements, organizing women-led socially engaged dialogues, and developing women interfaith leaders as a way forward.

In his presentation, Msgr. Kankanamalage shared some encouraging steps toward addressing this disparity on the Vatican's side. In October 2018, the first International Buddhist-Christian Dialogue for Nuns was held in Taiwan. The event was themed "Contemplative Action and Active Contemplation: Buddhist and Christian Nuns in Dialogue" and was a landmark in the Vatican's interreligious diplomacy. Organised by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID), in collaboration with the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery and other partners, this conference enhanced women's representation. It marked a strategic advancement in gender-inclusive interreligious dialogue.

In January 2023, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue, in collaboration with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), hosted an international conference in Rome titled "Women Building a Culture of Encounter Interreligiously." The event brought together 30 women from 23 countries and 12 different religious traditions, marking a significant step forward in the Vatican's interreligious diplomatic efforts. Notable participants from Asia included Mrs. Sarah Handang from the Philippines, Dr. Priyadarshana Jain from India, Master Lee Keng Neo, and Sr. Theresa Seow from Singapore, among others. Their diverse contributions underscored the importance of women’s leadership in fostering interfaith dialogue.

The conference highlighted women's distinct perspectives and contributions in building interfaith bridges, emphasising their critical role in promoting peace and mutual understanding.

The participation of ambassadors, students, and officials from the Holy See further underscored the diplomatic significance of this event. By involving such a broad range of stakeholders, the Vatican has taken steps toward integrating women’s insights into its broader diplomatic strategy, reinforcing the idea that authentic interreligious dialogue must be inclusive of all voices.

To advance interreligious diplomacy, it is crucial to both increase the number of women-only international conferences on interreligious dialogue and enhance the representation of women leaders in mainstream interfaith dialogue within Track 1.5 and 2 diplomacy. Women-only conferences provide a focused platform for amplifying the voices of women from diverse religious traditions, allowing them to share their unique experiences and address the specific challenges they face. These spaces enable women to lead, collaborate, and shape new approaches to interfaith dialogue that would otherwise be overlooked in mixed-gender settings.

Equally important is expanding the presence of women leaders in mainstream interfaith dialogue within Track 1.5 and 2 diplomacy. Their perspectives are essential for shaping international peacebuilding and religious diplomacy. By prioritizing both women-focused initiatives and their inclusion in broader diplomatic efforts, we can create a more inclusive and effective model of interreligious dialogue. Pope Francis's emphasis on fraternity in Fratelli Tutti underscores the need for concrete actions to elevate women’s leadership in these spaces. His upcoming visit to Southeast Asia presents a valuable opportunity to highlight and expand women-led interreligious dialogue in the region, showcasing their transformative role in global diplomacy and peacebuilding. Expanding women’s representation is equitable and critical to the success and sustainability of interfaith efforts worldwide.

Looking ahead, I hope Pope Francis’s forthcoming visit to Asia will pave the way for a future international conference on women in interreligious dialogue to be held in this region. Such an event would provide a platform for Asian women from religiously diverse societies to lead conversations that could significantly influence the trajectory of interreligious diplomacy in the region.