Sister Anne Arabome Establishes Formation Center in Namibia for Women Religious

Windhoek, Namibia, January 7, 2025: Sister Anne Arabome, SSS, a member of the Sisters of Social Service of Los Angeles, has launched the first-ever theological and spiritual formation center in Namibia to support and empower religious women. The Sophia Institute for Theological Studies and Spiritual Formation aims to provide ongoing theological education, leadership training, and spiritual formation for African women religious. The center addresses a critical need as religious vocations in Africa continue to grow, creating an urgent demand for appropriate pastoral and academic formation for women in religious life.

Sr. Arabome, who has returned to Africa after years of ministry in the United States, founded the Sophia Institute in response to the lack of theological education and spiritual training opportunities for women religious across southern Africa. Through her initiative, she seeks to provide these women with a solid foundation in theology, Scripture, spirituality, and leadership skills, essential for their roles in serving marginalized communities and promoting social justice.

Speaking about her motivation to start this institute, Sr. Anne said that the religious women in this area of Africa have limited opportunities for formation in theological studies and spirituality. “There are so many gifted, talented, and competent women religious who are passionate about the mission of the Church – bringing the light of Christ to others,” she stated. “They all require and deserve spiritual, theological, and leadership skills support.”

Sr. Anne Arabome brings extensive expertise to this venture, having earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the University of Roehampton and a Doctorate in Ministry and Spirituality from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Additionally, she has served as the Associate Director of the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality and has taught at Hekima University College in Nairobi. Her experience also extends to coordinating an intercultural living and theological studies program for African women religious in partnership with the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.

Reflecting on the mission of the Sophia Institute, Sr. Arabome shared, “I have a dream that this initiative will empower and reclaim the dignity and beauty of African women religious through creative and contextualized theological reflection, formation, renewal, spiritual accompaniment, and Ignatian retreats.”

With a commitment to integrating synodal principles into her formation programs, Sr. Anne continues to lead this transformative initiative, trusting in the divine presence guiding her work.

Courtesy: Vatican News