Uta Ranke-Heinemann

Uta Ranke-Heinemann
Born	(1927-10-02)2 October 1927 Essen, Germany
Died	25 March 2021(2021-03-25) (aged 93) Essen, Germany
Education	Burggymnasium Essen University of Bonn University of Basel University of Oxford University of Montpellier
Occupation	Theologian
Organizations	University of Duisburg-Essen
Notable work	Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven
Spouse	Edmund Ranke
Children	Johannes Ranke-Heinemann
Father	Gustav Heinemann
Relatives	Christina Rau (niece)

Uta Ranke-Heinemann (2 October 1927 – 25 March 2021) was a German theologian, academic, and author. In 1969, she was the first woman in the world to be habilitated in Catholic theology. She held a chair of ancient Church history and the New Testament at the University of Duisburg-Essen. When her license to teach was revoked by the bishop because of her critical position in matters of faith, the university created a nondenominational chair of History of Religion. Her 1988 book Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven, criticising the Catholic Church's stance on women and sexuality, was published in several editions, and translated in 12 languages. Her 1992 book Nein und Amen, revised in 2002, said there were "fairy tales you don't need to believe to have a living faith".