From Empowerment to a Spirituality of Flourishing at the Margins: A Feminist Prophetic Theological Vision and Mission for Fullness of Life with Marginalized Women in India

The topic of flourishing is gathering much interest across disciplines. However, most research on flourishing has not paid adequate attention to women, the poor and other marginalized persons who are relegated to the margins by gender discrimination, socio-cultural stratification and religious prescriptions. This dissertation, in putting forth a Spirituality Of Flourishing (SOF) at the margins, acknowledges the God-given potential of all persons to flourish as well as the social and spiritual resources that women possess to survive and provide for their families. The vision of a SOF, developed from my research and reflections on the interviews and experiences of marginalized women in Maharashtra and the interdisciplinary contributions of academic scholars, provides insights and directives to enable women on the margins to experience dignity, freedom, fulfilment and fullness of life through the transforming power of presence, love and communion, in interconnectedness with themselves, others, God and the entire ecosystem. The dissertation is divided into three parts. Part I, comprising of three chapters, presents a detailed process of the empirical research conducted in the state of Maharashtra, India. The qualitative research method of Theological Action Research was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved engaging with the staff members and beneficiaries of five Catholic organizations working for the empowerment of women. The second phase conducted two years after the initial study, involved sharing the research findings and conclusions with the directors of the organizations, and receiving feedback from them. The research process itself provided an experience of flourishing for the interviewees and the researcher. The data findings from the interview responses, focus group discussions and observations were discussed and classified in relation to empowerment. The findings reveal that empowerment of women is necessary but not sufficient to enable women to experience fullness of life. Women at the margins rely on their faith experiences to survive, care for their families and withstand their difficulties. Part II of the dissertation consists of three chapters aimed at conceptualizing and concretizing the vision of a SOF. I argue that in addition to social consciousness, capacity building and income-generating activities to empower women; women require a supportive caring environment, adequate fulfilment of their physical, psychological, intellectual, sexual, social and spiritual needs, and opportunities to reflect theologically on their lives, influences, hopes, challenges and difficulties. They need to recognise their inner potential, discover their strengths, desires and needs, face their woundedness, and confront the multiple interpersonal and institutional oppressions that afflict them. In order to enable women on the margins to do so and experience fullness of life, the two chapters of Part III propose effective processes and practices integrating feminist theories, theologies and reflections. This part also highlights concrete schemes and strategies at grassroots levels that can evoke life-promoting theologies and life-sustaining ministries. Engendering fullness of life is an ongoing prophetic mission involving creative envisioning, collaboration and supportive networks.

Publication year:2018

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