Radio Free never takes money from corporate interests, which ensures our publications are in the interest of people, not profits. Radio Free provides free and open-source tools and resources for anyone to use to help better inform their communities. Learn more and get involved at radiofree.org

Asia Pacific Report

A group of “pink shoes” women in Aotearoa New Zealand campaigning for gender equality in the Catholic Church took their message with a display of well-worn shoes to St Patrick’s Cathedral plaza in Auckland today on International Women’s Day.

It was part of a national and global “Pink Shoes into the Vatican” campaign.

“Women from all over the country have sent their worn out shoes with their stories of service to the Catholic Church, only to find that the doors to full equality in all areas of the ministry and leadership remain firmly closed,” said an explanatory flyer handed out by supporters.

Pink shoes in St Patrick's Cathedral plaza, Auckland 080323
Pink shoes in St Patrick’s Cathedral plaza, Auckland, today. Image: David Robie/APR

“A vibrant church requires a synodal structure in which all members share full equality by right of their baptism.”

The organisers, Be The Change, say: “We are interested in your story. You are invited to email or write to us telling of your experience with the church. You do not have to be a practising Catholic to participate.”


‘Pink Shoes into the Vatican’ campaign stories.  Video: Be The Change


This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.

Citations

[1] Asia Pacific Report | Independent Asia Pacific news and analysis ➤ https://asiapacificreport.nz/[2] International Women's Day 2025 ➤ https://www.internationalwomensday.com/[3] ‘Pink Shoes Into The Vatican’ Events – Be The Change Catholic Church Aotearoa ➤ https://bethechangecatholicchurchaotearoa.wordpress.com/pink-shoes-into-the-vatican-event/[4] Pink Shoes Into The Vatican Installation At Parliament | Scoop News ➤ https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2209/S00076/pink-shoes-into-the-vatican-installation-at-parliament.htm[5] ‘Women Talking’ is the Oscar nominee every Catholic needs to see | America Magazine ➤ https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2023/02/24/women-talking-oscar-nominee-244765[6] play ➤ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/8/international-womens-day-2022-theme-and-history[7] CSW: Advancing women’s rights since 1946 | UN News ➤ https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/03/1134132[8] Want to support companies that support women? Look at your investments through a ‘gender lens’ | Asia Pacific Report ➤ https://asiapacificreport.nz/2023/03/08/want-to-support-companies-that-support-women-look-at-your-investments-through-a-gender-lens/[9] Be The Change Catholic Church Aotearoa ➤ https://bethechangecatholicchurchaotearoa.wordpress.com/[10]bethechange.aotearoa@gmail.com