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A few weeks ago, returning from World Youth Day, Pope Francis made several interesting remarks to journalists, including an implicit appeal for a theology of women.
“We talk about whether they can do this or that: Can they be altar boys? Can they be lectors? About a woman as president of Caritas, but we don’t have a deep theology of women in the Church,” the Pope said.
His comments were a timely preface for the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity & Vocation of Women), marked by this year’s Solemnity of the Assumption.
When I was doing graduate theology work in Rome, the document had been out for many years. John Paul II had continued to teach on the topic and had articulated the need for a “new feminism.”
However, as one of my friends observed, the common translation of this “new feminism” was a type of elitist feminism. It was applicable to women who were well educated, had successful careers and were married with children and household help.
While I was on my way to being well educated, I certainly didn’t have the rest of the ensemble. I was studying with priests and seminarians, mostly. I had no desire to join their ranks, despite our common discipline.
At the same time, my friend was educated and married with small children. But working outside of the home would have placed too great a burden on her family.
We also knew there were plenty of other women who didn’t fit the mold.
I was convinced that the new feminism had to include all of the various states in the lives of women, not just educated, affluent wives and mothers. Continue reading
Image: Catholic Vote
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