Do you have a calling for Canon Law?

The Australian Women’s Canon Law Scholarship is a collaborative initiative being developed by a group of women religious congregations & religious institutions in Australia. It responds to a shared concern about the future availability of canon lawyers who understand women religious, religious life, governance, Public Juridic Persons, stewardship, safeguarding, and the civil–canonical interface.

This scholarship is intended to support the formation of a woman or women to undertake formal study in Canon Law, with the Licentiate in Canon Law qualification through Saint Paul University, Ottawa. The initiative is not simply a study scholarship. It is a formation pathway that includes academic study, mentoring, conference participation, engagement with congregations, governance exposure, regular reflection and post-study service.

Scholarship to Study

The scholarship is intended to support the formation of a woman or women to undertake formal study in Canon Law, with the Licentiate in Canon Law understood as the foundational qualification through Saint Paul University, Ottawa. Including relevant financial and other support to facilitate study (stipend, limited accommodation, approved study costs)

Study pathway (full-time or part-time, in Canada or Australia or mixed) will remain flexible and dependent on the applicant with a proposed start date of August/September 2027.

Formation & Support

The scholarship is designed as a formation pathway, not simply financial support. The aim is to form a woman or women who can become a trusted, competent and independent canonical resource for religious institutions and the wider Church in Australia and beyond.

Who are we looking for?

Women with: Interest in Canon Law, specifically religious life, governance, and civil–canonical interface; Maturity, reflective capacity, willingness to participate in ongoing formation; Commitment to becoming a resource for religious institutions, especially women religions; An Australian citizen or right to work in Australia and Academic capacity & appropriate theology prerequisites met, or ability to meet them prior to scholarship start date.