Called to Canon Law: Journey from Finance to Justice

When she participated in ASEC’s SLDI program to study Finance, Sr. Chrisencia Twaambo Mkume of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit (RSHS) did not know then that her path would lead her into one of the Church’s most specialized disciplines–Canon Law. Sr. Chrisencia always had a strong desire to study either canon law or theology, but over time her dream was beginning to feel out of reach. “I had always wanted to study one of the Church disciplines, canon law or theology,” she recalled, “but I had lost hope because of advancing in age so I didn’t imagine any organization sponsoring me.”

Everything changed in 2020, when the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) selected her congregation for a scholarship. Her superior presented her with the opportunity, which she embraced immediately. “It came as a blessing at a time I did not expect,” she echoed with gratitude. 

As a member of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit and the first woman religious in the Catholic Diocese of Monze to study canon law, Sr. Chrisencia entered the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and focussed on acquiring skills and knowledge to truly support her community with kindness, compassion, and confidence¹. She is now one of Zambia’s trailblazing canon lawyers reshaping the legal ministry.

When asked about SLDI skills, she explained that because her focus shifted from finance to canon law, she wasn’t immediately aware of how much she was still using the skills learned through SLDI. She later realized that SLDI skills had now become part of her daily approach to her work and leadership. Sr. Chrisencia credits SLDI for her strengthened sense of financial responsibility and accountability, her ability to plan effectively, and her confidence in engaging and networking with others.

Sr. Chrisencia emphasizes the importance of women religious studying civil or canon law: 

• Legal training empowers sisters to protect themselves and others.
• Congregations greatly benefit when they have someone who “knows and understands the mind of the Church” to ensure proper procedures. 
• Women religious are well-positioned to handle complex matters because they bring first-hand understanding of the issues surrounding religious life.
• “Knowledge is power,” she says, and many sisters face intimidation where legal understanding is limited. 

Her perspective reflects what is happening more widely in the Church, where it was previously uncommon for women to study law, but is now seen as an important response for addressing today’s societal needs. Research also supports that the number of women religious working as civil and canon lawyers is steadily increasing around the world.²

Sr. Chrisencia has witnessed the difference sisters bring to the legal ministry. In her view, sister lawyers offer something unique and powerful that goes beyond competence and commitment– a holistic view. She notes three specific things that sisters bring into legal work that tend to move cases forward or to fruition: dedication and commitment, high emotional acuity, and humanity or human-centered perspective. Sr. Chrisencia’s observations are echoed across Africa and around the world, where women religious practicing law have become trusted voices for justice and healing within the Church and society.³

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1. https://www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/religious-life/my-work-sister-canon-lawyer-integrates-faith-and-analytical-thinking 
2. https://www.presentationsisters.org/general/sister-lawyers-canonical-or-civil-bring-unique-perspectives-to-role 
3. https://www.presentationsisters.org/general/sister-lawyers-canonical-or-civil-bring-unique-perspectives-to-role 

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