Welcome to the Centre for Theological Gender Studies!

Feminist Theology and Theological Gender Studies are cross-disciplinary endeavours in theology. They reflect upon the relevance of sex and gender for Biblical, Historical, Systematic and Practical Theology as well as the structures in which theology is practiced. Regarding methods and content, they are situated in theology as well as in gender studies. In the interest of both, they support gender sensitivity and gender equality in theology and in the Church.
Feminist Theology and Theological Gender Studies have a long tradition in Münster. Since the end of the 1970s, there is research and teaching in the field of Feminist Theology at our faculty. Besides the Centre for Theological Gender Studies with a focus on Church History in Bonn, the Centre for Theological Gender Studies in Münster is the only Catholic-theological institution at a university in Germany that reflects on gender-perspectives in all theological disciplines. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive library that is under continuous development in cooperation with the Diocesan Library Münster.

New publication: AGENDA anniversary volume

The women's theology network ‚AGENDA - Forum of Catholic Women Theologians‘ is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We send warm congratulations and would like to point out the anniversary volume "Ewig wahr? Zur Genese und zum Anspruch von Glaubensüberzeugungen", edited by Prof. Dr. Gunda Werner, Prof. Dr. Saskia Wendel and Dr. Jessica Scheiper.

From their respective theological perspectives, the authors deal with conflicts between theology and the Magisterium and discuss fundamental theological questions with a view to current events in church politics.

The heads of our Centre for Theological Gender Studies, Prof. Dr. Marianne Heimbach-Steins and Prof. Dr. Judith Könemann, as well as member of the Centre Prof. Dr. Monika Bobbert are also represented with contributions.

Further information on the anthology can be found on the publisher's website.

Events at the Catholic-Theological Faculty during Diversity Week (22nd – 26th of May 2023)

From 22nd of May to 26th of May, the University of Münster holds its Diversity Week. The Catholic-Theological Faculty participates in the programme with several events. Find attached more information on these events: 

Dr. Claudius Bachmann and Lea Quaing: “Feminist Business Ethics” in the context of the lecture “Basics of Economic and Business Ethics” (Thursday, 25th of May 2023, 14:00-16:00/Johannisstr. 8-10, KTh II)

Prof. Dr. Monika Bobbert: “People with Dementia in our Society” in the context of the module course “Bioethics in Religious Education at School” (Tuesday, 23rd of May 2023, 13:00-16:00/Johannisstr. 4, JO 1)

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Grünstäudl: Reflection on gender-sensitive exegesis in the context of the advanced seminar “Meeting Jesus with Luke. Learning with the Bible in Primary Education” (Tuesday, 23rd of May 2023, 14:00-16:00/Robert-Koch-Str. 29, 114)

Prof. Dr. Marianne Heimbach-Steins: Discussion with Dr. Ini Dorcas Dah about her initiative “Association Evangelique Sowtaa” in Burkina Faso in the context of the lecture “Education and Justice” (Wednesday, 24th of May 2023, 16:00-18:00/Johannisstr. 8-10, KTh I)

Prof. Dr. Marianne Heimbach Steins and Lea Quaing: Intermediate Seminar “Gender Sensitivity – Theological and Ethical Potential and Provocation” (Wednesday, 24th of May 2023, 14:00-16:00/Johannisstr. 8-10, KTh V)

Ludger Hiepel and Prof. Dr. Judith Könemann: Talk by Dr. Ini Dorcas Dah from Burkina Faso/Ghana in the context of the advanced seminar “Being Foreign – Being Different. Exegetical and Practical-Theological Perspectives” (Monday, 22nd of May 2023, 14:00-16:00/Johannisstr. 8-10, KTh IV)

Prof. Dr. Norbert Hintersteiner: Contributions by Prof. Dr. Sharon Bong from Malaysia in the context of the advanced seminar „Translating God(s) II: Christianity in Southeast Asia“ (Wednesday, 24th of May 2023, 18:00-20:00 and Thursday, 25th of May 2023, 16:00-18:00/Robert-Koch

Prof. Dr. Judith Könemann: Lecture “Gender – Religion – Education” (Monday, 22nd of May 2023 10:00-12:00/Johannisstr. 8-10, KTh I)

Guest Lecture by Prof. Dr. Sharon Bong

The Centre for Theological Gender Studies wants to extend a warm invitation to the guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Sharon Bong on Tuesday, 16th of May 2023 in KTh I at 7pm. Sharon Bong is WWU Fellow and guest at the Institute for Missiology and the Study of Theologies Beyond Europe. Her lecture is on the topic:

Gender, ecology and religions: A queer proposal for climate justice and gender justice

Here, you can find more information on the guest lecture and other activities with Sharon Bong.

Changing Perspectives – Article on the Theology of Judith Könemann Published on the Occasion of her 60th Birthday

On the occasion of Judith Könemann’s 60th birthday - one of the heads of the Centre for Theological Gender Studies - on November 22nd, 2022, her research assistants - Stefanie Auditor, Marc Heidkamp, Carolin Hohmann and Verena Suchhart-Kroll - took a closer look at her theological work.
They discover a theological style that does not limit itself to its own concepts and affiliations and devalues others, but tries to overcome the ideas of centres and peripheries. This openness to constantly changing perspectives is also an important basis for a theology that is sensitive to questions of gender and intersectionality.

The article was published in Zeitschrift für Pastoraltheologie: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Ejournals/index.php/zpth/article/view/4598. The Centre for Theological Gender Studies congratulates Judith Könemann on her birthday!

Launch of the TeachTank: Lehrbausteine “Gender in Theologie”

On October 19th, 2022, the Centre for Theological Gender Studies launched the TeachTank: Lehrbausteine “Gender in Theologie” at our faculty.

In a small ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Norbert Köster, congratulated the team that went on to present the teach tank. Numerous faculty members – including many contributors and supporters of the project – attended the event. Following the presentation of the teach tank and a stimulating discussion, all guests toasted to theological gender research at the faculty.

The teach tank is now accessible to members of the university via the Learnweb. People, who want to get access to the course, can contact gender.theologie@uni-muenster.de at any time. In this second project phase, the teaching modules are put to use, tested and perfected. In addition, further teaching modules get added. After this phase, the Centre for Theological Gender Studies will make the teach tank accessible beyond the University of Münster.

Conference „Theology: Biographical – Contextual – Intersectional”

Categories of social difference are imprinted in biographies, their contexts, and finally, in theology itself. At its international conference “Theology: Biographical – Contextual – Intersectional” at Akademie Franz-HItze-Haus in Münster on the 20th/21st of October 2022, the Centre for Theological Gender Studies, led by Prof. Judith Könemann and Prof. Marianne Heimbach-Steins, discussed the importance of biography, contextuality and intersectionality for theology with nearly fifty participants.

Two ideas shaped the conference and structured the two days: the wish to listen to different perspectives from various cultural, national and other contexts and the collaborative and procedural elaboration of links between themes, analytical tools and fundamental questions.  

The conference not only facilitated intense discussion about intersectionality, but also networking and communication.

To read the detailed conference report, click here: Conference 2022

Report: Fellowship-Stay by Ass.-Prof. Dr. Ma. Maricel S. Ibita at the Centre for Theological Gender Studies

From the 16th of October to the 15th of November 2022, the Centre for Theological Gender Studies was delighted to welcome Assistant-Professor Dr. Ma. Maricel S. Ibita from Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines) as a fellow.

Maricel Ibita is an expert on Biblical Theology. Among many topics, she works on narrative, poetry and metaphor studies; feminist, liberation, social science and sustainability hermeneutics.

During her stay in Münster, she enriched the research of the Centre in many ways. For example, she made a contribution at the international conference “Theology: Biographical – Contextual – Intersectional” (20th/21st of October 2022). With her presentation „What does the Lord Require of You? Memorializing God’s Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation with Miriam” she introduced her unique perspective on the relevance of biography, contextuality and intersectionality into the discussion.

Moreover, she presented her work in different formats in the context of research and teaching. She spoke on topics like biblical exegesis, creation and human rights. Among other things, at the 10th of November 2022 she gave the presentation “The Syrophoenician Woman, Synodality and the UNSDGs“ to members of the Centre for Theological Gender Studies.

In the many conversations with researchers at the faculty, networks could be developed and strengthened. Especially Maricel Ibita’s international expertise and many perspectives as well as her exegetical focus on important topics of the day – specifically human rights and the climate crisis – enriched the research at the Centre in many ways.

We are thankful to Maricel Ibita for her valuable contribution and the wonderful cooperation. We are looking forward to working together on upcoming projects.

Gender Studies at Tea Time

The Centre for Theological Gender Studies cordially invites you to “Gender Studies at Tea Time”. On Wednesday, 19th of October in KTh II, we start with the launch of the project TeachTank: Lehrbausteine “Gender in Theologie” at 4pm. At 5:30pm, Tina Beattie gives a lecture on the topic “Running in order to stand still: the challenges facing feminists in times of radical political and cultural change”.

We are looking forward to tell you all about the Lehrbausteine-project, to discuss with Prof. Beattie and to toast to theological gender studies at our faculty. If possible, please write to gender.theologie@uni-muenster.de until 17th of October 2022, if you wish to attend. But please feel free to also come along spontaneously.

Although, in theology, feminist issues and gender perspectives are increasingly established, they are often still perceived as an add-on to the theological curriculum. However, Theological Gender Studies are an interdisciplinary approach that covers all theological disciplines in ecumenical cooperation. This volume assembles contributions on Theological Gender Studies, to reflect on its status quo, to identify desiderata, and to determine developing themes and approaches for further research.

Here you can find further information. [en]