Ann Ralston was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1936, and has lived there most of her life. She joined the Pallottine Sisters in 1962, and in the late 70’s completed her medical degree, going on to work in State clinics during the years of apartheid. Ann also taught in an adult education night school in one of South Africa’s black townships.

Over the years, she has served as a spiritual companion to many. Ann has always enjoyed hiking in South Africa’s mountains and coastland, and has deep love for South Africa’s plants, animals and birds.  Now retired from her medical practice, she lives in a cottage with a small garden and a view direct on to mountains. Ann will serve in priestly ministry with Rev. Mary Ryan, another RCWP priest in South Africa. They are both in discernment with a small faith community as to how to move forward, and what ministries will open up to Ann.

Professional Title: Rev. Ann Ralston

Location: Somerset West, ZA

Ordained Priest: 2016

Sarah Rule grew up in a Jewish family in South Africa, attending Hebrew School for religious education until the age of 11. At the same time her parents sent her to a Catholic primary and then high school for her academic education. She formally converted to Christianity in the Anglican Church as a late teenager. She was involved in the anti-Apartheid struggle with a particular emphasis on the Church as a site of struggle. Sarah played a variety of roles in the Anglican Church including preaching, running children’s ministry, lay minister and church warden.

Moving to the Western Cape three years ago, Sarah and her husband joined the Open Table communities in Cape Town (led by RCWP Mary Ryan) and Somerset West (led by RCWP Ann Ralston) and with mentoring and guidance from Mary and Ann, Sarah has found a home for her call to ordained ministry in the RCWP movement.

As deacon, Sarah will continue to assist in the Open Table communities in Cape Town and Somerset West. She is beginning to form an Open Table community in Stellenbosch where she lives in an eco village. Sarah has worked in the field of disability rights and community based rehabilitation for 30 years. She initially trained as a speech therapist and audiologist. She has a PhD in community based rehabilitation and she is currently completing a Masters in Theology. 

Professional Title: Rev. Sarah Rule

Location: Stellenbosch, ZA

Ordained Deacon: 2020 | Ordained Priest: 2021

Uschi Schäfer was born and raised in Germany, where she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Theology from the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. For twenty-three years she made her home in Johannesburg together with her husband, Peter, and their three sons, Stephan, Max and Georg, before the family eventually returned to Germany, settling in Grafing, a small town on the outskirts of Munich.

Her years in South Africa left an enduring mark on her. Witnessing at first hand the country’s remarkable transition into a democratic society shaped her outlook in profound and lasting ways. Drawing on the many examples of courageous civil disobedience found in both German and South African history, she found the foundation for answering her own call to priesthood within the Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) movement.

At the heart of Uschi’s vocation is her work as an end-of-life companion. She devotes herself to accompanying the dying and supporting their loved ones, offering her presence and care both in people’s homes and on the palliative care unit.

She feels an equally deep calling toward those who stand at a distance from the churches, or who have been disappointed or wounded by them. For these people in particular she offers Catholic and spiritual funerals and wedding ceremonies open to all, warmly welcoming persons of other faith traditions as well as those with no religious affiliation at all.

Uschi is also committed to nurturing a women’s spirituality, one in which women’s experiences and intuitions may be freely expressed and truly find a home. To this end, she seeks out a language rich enough to convey the mystery of God in all its many layers and living vibrancy, a language that ultimately can open the way to freedom.

Today, while she continues the work of establishing a community of pilgrims on the Way in Germany, she also supports Sarah Rule from afar, co-pastoring online the Open Table Community in Cape Town, the very community in which she was ordained.

Professional Title: Rev. Uschi Schafer

Location: Grafing, DE / Johannesburg, ZA

Ordained Deacon: 2025 | Ordained Priest: 2025

I find great joy in serving as priest and co-pastor, together with Dianne Willman, for the Ru’ha Faith Community. This inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant community is my focus and the heart of my ministry.

Within RCWP–South Africa, I serve as the Public Officer for our nonprofit organization, where I represent the organisation for tax purposes.

In my local Cape Town community, I volunteer as a Trauma Volunteer with the Community Intervention Centre, offering support to those in crisis. Beyond my ministry and volunteer work, my grandchildren and family are a constant source of delight and relaxation.

Professional Title: Reverend

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Ordained Deacon: 2025 | Ordained Priest: 2025

Community: Ru’ha Faith Community

Community Contact: ruhacommunity@gmail.com

Meeting Format: Zoom

Dianne Willman has felt called by God to serve as priest since childhood. She was ordained in January 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Catholic since birth, Dianne has actively been engaged in her faith life and is drawn to a ministry on the margins especially by sharing the Eucharist in a contemplative inclusive way. Dianne is also a South African lawyer. She has a strong sense of justice and as a prosecutor feels she can speak for victims of crime. As a trainer, she empowers prosecutors from all over Africa. Dianne holds a masters degree in law and a masters in philosophy (theology). Dianne facilitates reflection days and accompanies others in spiritual direction. She and Rev Maryanne von Essen co-pastor a growing international community intentionally named Ru’ha which is the Aramaic name for Spirit and has a feminine root in Aramaic.

Professional Title: Advocate

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Ordained Deacon: 2018 | Ordained Priest: 2019

Community: Ru’ha Faith Community

Community Contact: ruhacommunity@gmail.com

Meeting Format: Zoom and In-Person

Judith Bautista Fajardo is a poet and singer and much of her music and poetry is inspired by scripture, as well as her understanding of the role of spirit in human development. She is Licensed in Philosophy and Letters through the University of Saint Thomas, and she has studied Theology, Biblical Scripture and Spirituality. Her Ph.D. is in Education, focusing on affective processes and transpersonal psychology. Since 1987 Judith has taught scripture studies and done pastoral ministry with women and youth.

Currently, she is offering psychotherapeutic and spiritual direction, while she remains engaged in artistic creation. Some of Judith’s publications as writer and composer include: Destellos de Tormenta Azul- Poetry, 2012; Desacostembrame, 2009; Como Espada de Dos Filos, 2002. And she has worked collaboratively as well: Minga de la Esperanza, 2012; Palabras para el Encuentro, 2011, Mesa de Fraternidad, 2005; Las 7 Palabras de Jesus en la cruz, 2000; Celebremos en el Espiritu-Misa de Pentecostas,1998 Con Toda la gente, Cantos para la Iglesia Joven de America Latina, 1993; Que Chevere es Dios, Novena de Navidad Para Ninos, 1993.You can communicate with Judith by mail: senda.interior@gmail.com

Professional Title: Rev. Judith Bautista Fajardo

Location: Bogotá, CO

Ordained Deacon: 2014 | Ordained Priest: 2014

Maria Elena Sierra Sanchez has given life-long service to the young, the elderly, and poor and indigenous populations. She was a religious Sister with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from 1983-1996 when she left to assist her family.

Her formal degrees (her Licentiate) are in Primary Education. She also has a recent advanced degree in educational computer technology and additional studies in working with youth, social services, and educational administration. She has done extensive mission work in the poorest communities, rural and urban. In 2007, she also was ordained as a priest in the Fraternidad Eucaristica de Jesus, a movement founded by former Salesian RC priests in the Apostolic Catholic tradition. She received theological training and religious formation from the founders of this Community who are accepted theologians and teachers in the progressive Catholic Community.

She began her journey with RCWP in 2013 and was ordained a priest in 2017. She continues with her ministry in her community serving 40-50 community members and meeting regularly with groups for prayer services at their homes. As a Head Teacher in a primary school, she is on the front lines in the violence experienced in her poor community. Her way is to live and teach love and peace. Her school is a haven. Beyond teaching she is accepted by the children and their parents as the Pastor they turn to at school and in their lives. As an ordained RCWP priest she serves her school community, her home community and several poor and indigenous communities in Cali, Colombia.

Professional Title: Rev. Maria Elena Sierra Sanchez

Location: Cali, CO

Ordained Deacon: 2017 | Ordained Priest: 2017