"The Church cannot but be a listening and welcoming Church where young people feel that they are not only being heard but that they are also protagonists." This powerful message was the central theme of this year's Aquinas Lecture and Women in Theology events, delivered by Sr Nathalie Becquart, the undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops.

Organised by the Għaqda Studenti tat-Teoloġija (GħST) and the Department of Pastoral Theology, Liturgy, and Canon Law these two significant highlights on the calendar of the Faculty of Theology took place on 9 and 10 March 2023.

The Aquinas Lecture, held at the CAM Centre in Birkirkara on 9 March, focused on the important role of young people within a synodal Church. On the morning of 10 March, a Q&A session took place on Campus, providing a platform for young people and various youth-focused groups to engage in discussions on pertinent issues. The two-day program concluded with the Women in Theology event in the evening at the University Chaplaincy. The gathering commenced with a brief commemoration of Dr Pauline Dimech, a former member of the Faculty of Theology who passed away on 26 February of this year. Sr Nathalie Becquart then shared her insights on the roles and voices of women in the Church.

The events drew a diverse audience from all walks of life, including current and former students, University lecturers, and individuals involved in youth work. Sr Nathalie's presence in Malta was a source of great encouragement, particularly for laypeople, especially women, who aspire to have a more active involvement in the Church and a greater representation of their voices in its highest levels of leadership.