Poetic Reflections and Images by Tina van Lieshout

This series of poems and images can be found in Tina van Lieshout’s book Ook in de Naam van de Mother en de Dochter, Wilco, Amersfoort 2000. They are here translated and reproduced with permission of author and publisher. The text and art work can be freely copied for personal use, but permission needs to be obtained for publication.

The background of these reflections was Tina’s attempt to be admitted to holy orders. In 1989 Tina offered herself for the diaconate formation programme in the diocese of s’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. She was refused admission. To draw attention to the injustice of the situation, Tina decided to take her bishop to court on charges of sexual discrimination. She was assisted in this endeavour by Vrouwmens, a Dutch organization concerned with improving the position of women in society and in the church. As expected the case was heard and then dismissed in the provincial court, the national court and finally the European civil court. But it generated much publicity, as had been hoped.

Tina is a deeply spiritual and very sensitive person. Her poetic reflections and illustrations come straight from her heart. She speaks for many others who are struggling to find their identity in a repressive church climate.

These meditations are best read and prayed over on their own - one at a time.

1. desert journey
2. three minds in me
3. broken in pieces
4. male and female
5. my choice
6. irrepressible energy
7. the money dragon and the religion dragon
8. evolving identity
9. women carry the church
10. the force of time
11. I accuse woman
12. I accuse man
13. my inner struggle
14. past-present-future
15. my dream
16. and God saw that it was very good
17. blasphemy and God-with-us
18. on the way

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