Shameless Theology S2:10 Catholic Priestess and Godmother of the Disappeared w/ Rosa Manriquez

Summary

In this season finale of Shameless Theology Rev. Alba Onofrio hosts beloved returning guest Rosa Manriquez in an inspiring conversation that captures the essence of the Sinvergüenza spirit. 

Rosa describes her youth as a “manzana de la discordia” pursuing knowledge, resisting shame, and questioning her elders. Rev. Alba and Rosa discuss the importance of listening to children, keeping them grounded, and raising daughters who are ungovernable. 

Rosa gracefully offers mercy to ICE agents while condemning their actions and the false promise of safety through assimilation. She describes her role co-founding the Godmothers of the Disappeared who hold weekly vigils at the downtown LA federal building to demand detainees’ return, reject divisive politics, and call agents to “choose life.”

Rev. Alba and Rosa discuss Rosa’s Catholic lineage, formation by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart (featured in the documentary Rebel Hearts), her call to priesthood, ordination via apostolic succession despite excommunication threats, and celebrating inclusive Mass—especially her first Mass at Creating Change—for LGBTQ Catholics. 

Rosa leaves listeners with an invitation to say yes, to take a risk, and to remember that we are loved. Don’t miss this season finale of Shameless Theology! 

Rosa Manriquez is a Los Angeles–based Catholic community leader, speaker, and justice advocate whose work centers on radical love, family, and inclusion. A third-generation Latina raised in East Los Angeles, she holds a Master’s degree in theology and has spent years working at the intersection of faith, anti-racism, and immigrant justice through organizations such as the Immaculate Heart Community, Call To Action, and the Human Rights Campaign’s A La Familia program.

Rosa is widely known for her powerful personal journey—from holding deeply homophobic beliefs shaped by heartbreak and religious upbringing to becoming a fiercely loving and affirming mother to her lesbian daughters. Today, she shares her story nationally as a storyteller, trainer, and bridge-builder within Catholic and Latinx communities, advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion, healing, and justice.

Hosted by Reverend Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful, while centering dialogue on Queer, Trans, and feminist theology.

Shameless Theology seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and life abundant for all of Creation. Initially launched in Spanish as Teología Sin Vergüenza, this show addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the extreme Right. Here, we gather people of diverse faith backgrounds and Christian denominations--pastors, activists, and scholars--to discuss gender identity, the erotic, and real life in the context of a radically inclusive faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces.

This season forefronts our new book: Spiritual Violence: Religious Phenomena that Defile the Faith. This timely resource identifies and examines the consequences of white Christian Supremacy through historical context and case studies, centering lived experiences of marginalized people, and offers critical analysis and practical tools for healing and resistance. Each week, we’ll share engaging conversations with brilliant guests familiar with the work, as we explore the concepts and lived experiences of Spiritual Violence. The podcast is not a repetition of the book but an expansion of conversation adding new voices: experts in their fields who share their experience with our community. Even if you haven’t read the book yet, these are engaging conversations relevant to the here and how, and we invite you to join us and continue the conversation in your own communities. 

FREE PREVIEW: Spiritual Violence and Religious Phenomena that Defile the Faith: soulforce.org/download/spiritual-violence/      

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Shameless Theology homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latine power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/