Biography

Biography

Mireille von der Weid (formerly Fornerod) was born in Fribourg in 1976. Since 2017, she has been a lecturer in the theology of spirituality in the Chair of Pastoral Theology, Pedagogy, and Religious Homiletics at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). From 2006 to 2009, she also taught (as a graduate assistant) the introductory seminary in systematic theology, a semester of ecclesiology, and various courses in sacramental theology.

Addressing spiritual themes, including morality and dogmatics, she specializes in the following areas: the medieval theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the mystical theology of Teresa of Avila, the Magisterium's teachings on increasing the role and activities of women in the Catholic Church, and the spirituality of care (chaplaincies) in medical settings.

She primarily teaches fundamental themes of spirituality, drawn from the thousand-year-old Catholic tradition, at the convergence of (among other things) ethical, dogmatic, and pastoral theology. She also gives courses on increasing the role of women in the Catholic Church. With her experience as a chaplain in medical settings and as an advisor for several years within the healthcare ministry of the Fribourg region of the Catholic Church, she has also taught the spirituality of care: the skills and challenges of the chaplaincy profession in medical settings.

Research and publications

Her publications focus on the textual analysis of the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas primarily, but also of Teresa of Avila, as well as on increasing opportunities for women to take action in the Church.