Women's worn-out shoes are to be the focus of action in central Auckland and Wellington organised by a group working for gender equality in the leadership of the Catholic Church."Pink Shoes into the Vatican" is an ambitious public artwork to be displayed on pavements leading to the cathedrals in central Auckland and in Wellington on Sunday 18 September, women's suffrage day.

The suffrage anniversary shows the church is almost 130 years behind the country in recognising the leadership skills of women, say the women who call themselves Be the Change Aotearoa.

Women are being asked to send in their old shoes with a ticket attached containing a brief outline of the owner's work (and walk) for the church. Collection boxes will be placed in the foyers of most churches in both dioceses.

On the 18th of September, the women will place the shoes, some painted pink, in a walking pattern.  The Wellington installation will start at 12 noon from the steps of Parliament, and lead up  Molesworth and Hill Streets to Sacred Heart Cathedral.  
The shoes signify the largely unpaid work women have done for the church throughout theages which will be recorded in short vignettes accompanying the shoes.  They say women are often the majority of any Catholic congregation and are usually the ones organising the various tasks that need to be done at every liturgical celebration.
People are encouraged to visit the installations in Auckland and Wellington on SundaySeptember 18 and read some of the messages from women who have worked in thechurch, usually as volunteers, for many years.

For further information,please go to https://bethechangecatholicchurchaotearoa.wordpress.com/email: info@bethechange.co.nz orphone: Mary Thorne, +64 210 241 1653 +64 9 299 8789 Jo Ayers +64 27 430 0943Cecily McNeill (Wellington) +64 21 235 6996 +64 4 905 2311