Nun who championed women’s leadership in Church dies

NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) — A nun who “dedicated her life wholeheartedly for the empowerment, dignity, and leadership of women in the Church and society” and who was instrumental in promoting the Indian bishops’ Gender Policy has died, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s Council for Women said.

Sister Lilly Francis of the Sisters of Mary Mediatrix Immaculate died May 23 in Nagpur. She served as executive secretary of the CBCI Commission/Council for Women from 2004 to 2011.

In a statement, the council expressed its “profound sorrow” at her death and praised her commitment to gender justice and grassroots empowerment.

“Sr. Lilly Francis rendered exemplary service through her visionary leadership, commitment to gender justice, legal awareness, and grassroots empowerment initiatives,” said Sister Asha Paul, secretary of the council, who issued the statement.

The statement said Sister Francis was “instrumental in promoting the CBCI Gender Policy and in strengthening women’s participation within the Church.”

“Through her writings, seminars, advocacy, and formation programmes, she inspired and empowered thousands of women across India,” it added.

Church leaders described the nun as a visionary who promoted women’s dignity, leadership and participation through writings, seminars and advocacy. “Her tireless service, guidance and pioneering efforts advanced the mission of women’s empowerment and participation in ecclesial and social life,” the council said.

Born in Kerala in 1949, she studied social work, law and theology in India and abroad, including in Chile. She spent three years in Latin America working among poor and marginalized communities.

In Nagpur, she founded the Vishwodaya Institute of Social Work and Women Development, promoted counselling and community empowerment, and authored seven books on women’s empowerment, gender justice and family life.

Read the statement.