Lecture: “If I run into him today, I’ll kill him” – Sexual Violence as Murder of the Soul

On Friday, June 19, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., the conference “Trauma-Sensitive Theology—Dealing with Trauma” will take place at the Pauluskirche in Bochum. Through various lectures and workshops, the topic will be approached from an interdisciplinary and multi-perspective point of view: What structures and theological motives exist that, at least facilitate abuse? How can we develop a responsible approach towards working with traumatized people? How can a Theology talk about trauma without escaping into hollow words and dogma? And how can all of this be successfully implemented in practice?
At 4:10 p.m., Prof. Dr. Ute Gause will also deliver a lecture titled “If I Meet Him Today, I Will Kill Him” – Sexualized Violence as Murder of the Soul,” from her perspective as a church historian and active member of URAK West. 
The conference was prepared and organized by faculty and students of the Protestant Faculty at Ruhr University Bochum and is open to anyone working in church or diaconal fields. Admission is free—you are cordially invited!

Inside RUB: Witch Hunt und B*tch Hunt

On June 11, 2026, the RUB welcomed numerous potential students who visited workshops and consultation offered by the various faculties. 

Our faculty also participated with the historical workshop “Witch Hunt and B*tch Hunt,” which was attended by several curious students.

The workshop was led by Laura Markert (research assistant). The faculty would like to thank you for your thoughtful and engaged participation and hopes to welcome you as students soon.

“Bible and Women” Publication Series Completed

The Chair is pleased to announce that the 21-volume series “Bible and Women” has been completed. This important series provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and ecumenical overview of current research on women in the Bible and church history, to which Prof. Dr. Ute Gause also contributed (Confessional Cultures and Gender in the “Long” 18th Century). It thus fills a significant gap in theological research. Many thanks to all contributors, editors, and supporters. 

Workshop: Under the Walnut-Mango Tree

On May 20, 2026, a workshop on womanist theology(ies) withing German-speaking contexts took place at the Beckmannshof with Sarah Ntondele as a speeker; it was organized by the Decentralized Office for Gender Equality as part of the Lore Agnes Vision program.

Interview with Ute Gause at evangelisch.de

Katja Eifler, a journalist and editor at evangelisch.de, interviewed Ute Gause about her new book and the issue of abuse in the Protestant Church. You can find the interview on evangelisch.de. 

Book: “God Told Him to Make Me A Woman” Abuse in the Protestant Church — A Case Study

Ute Gause's new book was published by Gütersloher Verlagshaus on November 6, 2024, and is now available in stores. 

Deutschlandfunk Kultur: Radiointerview with Ute Gause

On November 10, 2024, Ute Gause was interviewed about her new book as part of the podcast series for the program “Religions,” which explores the spectrum of religious life in Germany, Europe, and around the world on a weekly basis. You can find an audio recording here.