The Loyola School of Theology invites you to the online oral defense of the S.T.L. Tesina entitled “POPE JOHN PAUL II’S VISION IN MULIERIS DIGNITATEM AND UBUNTU PHILOSOPHY: A Path to Decolonizing Women in Angolan Patriarchal Society” by Fr. JOSE ABILIO PRAIA, S.J. on 1 October 2025, Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Rowan Rebustillo, S.T.D., Ph.D. (Adviser), Fr. Abundio Babor Jr., M.S.C., S.T.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), and Fr. Eric Marcelo Genilo, S.J., S.T.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Licentiate in Sacred Theology concentrating in the field of Moral Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: Gender justice is an urgent and critical issue in contemporary African societies, particularly in Angolan society. The persistent influence of colonial legacies, cultural traditions, and patriarchal structures continues to marginalize women in Angola. Despite the long-standing emphasis of Catholic Social Teaching on human dignity and the preferential option for the marginalized, these principles are often underutilized in addressing systemic gender disparities. This dissertation thesis proposes Ubuntu Philosophy as the central framework for reimagining gender relations in Angola, positioning it as an ethical, theological, and sociocultural response to deep-rooted patriarchy.
Ubuntu, rooted in the African ethos of interconnectedness, communal well-being, and relational dignity, starkly contrasts with the individualistic and hierarchical structures that historically undermined women’s worth. This research, by engaging deeply with Pope John Paul II’s Mulieris Dignitatem—a seminal Catholic document on the dignity and vocation of women— reveals how Ubuntu’s inclusive and restorative vision aligns with Catholic Moral Theology. This alignment provides a strong foundation for challenging patriarchal norms, reclaiming women’s agency, and fostering an equitable society.
Through a critical historical and sociopolitical analysis, this study interrogates how colonization distorted pre-colonial gender roles, replacing traditional African models of complementarity and mutual respect with rigid and oppressive structures. It further examines how literary narratives serve as decolonial tools, offering resistance against gender stereotypes and inspiring a paradigm shift toward inclusivity.
Going beyond theoretical inquiry, this dissertation proposes concrete pastoral and sociopolitical interventions. It urges the Catholic Church in Angola to embrace Ubuntu-inspired gender-sensitive leadership, theological education, and transformative community engagement. These interventions can potentially bring about a profound rethinking of gender justice, not merely as a legal or political issue but as a moral imperative rooted in Africa’s deepest philosophical and spiritual traditions.
By bridging Ubuntu and Mulieris Dignitatem within the discourse of Catholic Social Justice, this study contributes to global theological and feminist conversations while offering a distinctly African response to gender inequality. It is a call to action—a vision of hope and transformation, where the fullness of women’s dignity is recognized and celebrated within the fabric of Angolan society.
