Rosemary N. Edet

Rosemary Nkoyo Edet (born 1935) was a member of the congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, a Catholic religious order, the Catholic co-founder of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and one of the first African Catholic Feminist sisters. She was a feminist theologian and Christian advocate for women's liberation, empowerment and ecclesial leadership. She has written on gender studies, theological contextualisation, and African theology. The book African Literature, Mother Earth, and Religion was dedicated to her, in recognition of her advocacy for women's liberation.

Personal life and career Born in Nigeria in 1935, Edet was the daughter of Chief Edet Akpan Udo and Theresa Ansa Odo of Nigeria. She confronted contemporary challenges by discussing critical topics such as the marginalization of women, harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation, and the failure to fully implement international agreements like the 1995 Beijing Declaration's 35% affirmative action for women's participation in nation-building. She condemns the cultural and religious processes that widows undergo which belittle their dignity. Edet argues that all forms of unfair and inhuman treatment of women for any reason are opposed to Christian principles of love and life. As a New Testament scholar at the University of Calabar, her feminist theology of liberation is inspired by the Pauline letters diversity and communality where all members have equal dignity and roles. Her liberation theology fosters coexistence, intercultural dialogue, the dignity of women, and breaking down patriarchal systems that perpetuate inequality, aggression, and insecurity in society, particularly Nigeria. She unfolds a relational Christological identity of Jesus as a friend, liberator, healer, and life-giver who offers the fullness of life for all humanity, regardless of gender, sex, or class. She deconstructs the normative patriarchal norms, redefines women’s self-identity, and fosters inclusivity and equal partnership within pastoral framework that actively contribute to societal transformation. She calls for inclusive theology arguing that exclusion of women is based on unsound doctrinal foundations. Edet champions inclusion of women in the Roman Catholic ministry as its traditional and colonial system of exclusive male leadership structure supports and reinforces the traditional gender based societal roles, perpetuates male dominance, and ignores the religious leadership of African Women in the same traditional culture, and women's historical contributions to early Christianity. The book "African Literature, Mother Earth, and Religion" was dedicated to her, in recognition of her advocacy for women’s liberation, theological contributions, and commitment to the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. the Catholic Church and a notable Catholic Order, and member of the Learned Women Association.

Selected works Edet, R. N. (1992). Christianity and African women's rituals. The will to arise: Women, tradition, and the church in Africa, 25-39. Edet, R.N (1991). "Christ and the Nigerian Womanhood" in Life, Women and Culture: Theological Reflections: Proceedings of the National Conference of a Circle of African Women Theologians. (Lagos: African Heritage Research and Publications) Edet R (1990). "Leadership in the New Testament-Resurrection/Feminist Per- spective". The Nigerian Journal of Theology 1(5) April, 93-101. Edet RN (1989). New Roles, New Challenges for African Women. In Virginia Fabella & Dolorita Martinez (eds) Third World Women Doing Theology. Port Harcourt: EATWOT Publications. Edet, R. (1989). Woman and Ministry in Africa. A Voices the Wilderness KAIROS: Voices from the Third World, 12(2), 79-103. Edet RN (1988). Church Women of Africa: A Theological Community. In Virginia Fabella & Mercy A. Oduyoye (eds) With Passion and Compassion. Maryknoll/NY: Orbis Books. Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians. Women's Commission. (1988). With passion and compassion: Third world women doing theology: Reflections from the women's commission of the ecumenical association of third world theologians. Orbis Books. Edet R (1988). "The Parables of the Ten Virgins", Gospel Parables in African Context (ed) Justin S. Ukpong. Port Harcourt: CIWA Press, 53-58. Edet, R.N (1984). The Resilience of Religious Tradition in the Dramas of Wole Soyinka and James Ene Henshaw. Catholic University of America.