Fr. Sammy has analyzed the documents of the Synod at all levels like no other and shows in this book how important it is that we become a synodal church where women and men have equal dignity and equal rights.

This book is an incredibly important contribution to the synodal process worldwide because it shows what grassroots movements, dioceses and continental churches have submitted to the Synod Office from their consultations on the role of women. Fr. Sammy analyzes the extent to which the consultations have been incorporated into the working document and what the Synod Assembly has recorded in the synthesis document on the issue.

The church can only become a truly synodal church with women. There needs to be a general awareness that the position of women, their participation in decision-making and their admission to the ordained ministry are not “special theological issues”, but fundamental questions. The equal value and equal worth of all God’s children must have ecclesiological, canonical, liturgical and pastoral consequences. Only in this way can the Church credibly fulfil its missionary mandate and stand up for human rights.

Dr. Helena Jeppesen
Swiss Church’s Representative at the Synod on Synodality

This book is a must-read for everyone who loves the Catholic Church and who is committed to her renewal. In an enlightening and motivating way, it shows how everything is inter-connected and bears fruit in the synodal process: equality of men and women in church and society, inspiration from the Bible, early Christian experience and tradition, dialogue with modern science and the experience of religious life as a charism-oriented egalitarian discipleship of Jesus. A timely encouragement!

Fr. Franz Helm, SVD
Divine Word Missionaries Zonal Coordinator for Europe,
Former Chaplain of the Catholic Women’s Movement of Austria

This book is a compelling exploration of Pope Francis’ call to refocus on God, echoing the Synod on Synodality. The book delves into the Gospel, highlighting God’s essence as a communion of life and love, promoting unity through love and service rather than hierarchy. It passionately advocates for a shift from a hierarchical Church to an egalitarian one, emphasizing inclusivity and freedom from discrimination. With a focus on women, it portrays them as agents of change advocating for the marginalized. The narrative invites communal reflection and serves as an inspiring call to embrace synodality, fostering a Church where diversity is celebrated, and all members are equally loved and led by the Holy Spirit.

Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
Theologian, Author, Women Empowerment Advocate

No one can miss the essence of the new way of being Church. Every page of this book speaks of communion, mutuality, co-responsibility, and coequality. This is women’s dream in mission: that they are recognized and accepted as coequal partners in all areas of the church’s life, mission, and ministries. Samuel Canilang’s  Synodality and Women in Ministry sharpens the heart that is attuned to the ways of the Spirit. Read on and be surprised, be engaged, be transformed.

Sr. Eden A. Panganiban, SSpS
Religious Leader, Missionary, Spiritual Guide

Women are gifted. And called. Women love their Church. And they are frustrated. Because men still deny them respect and co-responsibility in the Church. Because they do not recognise their gifts and calling, their love and their frustration. Samuel Canilang draws a different, hopeful picture of a holistic, synodal church in which women and men work together on an equal footing so that God’s Love can be experienced in a living way. This book should be read by all those who want to shape the church of tomorrow.

Dr. Julia Knop
Theologian, Professor at Erfurt University (Germany),
Co-organizer of the International Conference “Women in Ministry. Speaking the World Church, Thinking Theologically, Moving Forward Together” (Leipzig, Germany: 18 – 19 September 2023)

Fr. Samuel Canilang is commendable in his solidarity with women in their call for ordained leadership roles within the church. This book is a proof of this commitment. Drawing from a prevailing scientific paradigm that the physical universe is interrelated and that we are integral holons of the evolving web of life, he forwards and situates women's ministries within the model of the synodal church as a holarchy --  inclusive, egalitarian rather than hierarchical, circular rather than pyramidal!

Dr. Agnes M. Brazal, PhD, STD
De la Salle University, Philippines

Fr. Samuel H. Canilang, CMF was the director of the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) from 2008-2019. He did his theological graduate studies at the Istituto di Teologia della Vita Consacrata (Rome, Italy) and Instituto Teológico de Vida Religiosa (Madrid, Spain). He received his licentiate and doctorate degrees in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University and the Pontifical University of Salamanca, respectively. Among his major works are THE WAY OF THE HEART and INTO THE SEA OF MERCY. The former was the 2011 Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards Best Book in Theology and the latter was the 2018 Best Book in Spirituality. In 2017, he founded HOGAR (Hermitage and Organic Gardens), ICLA’s Eco-spirituality and Organic Farming Center.