Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist?

by Julie Hanlon Rubio

An eminent theologian addresses an enduring--but newly urgent--questionIs it possible to be both a faithful Catholic and an avowed feminist? Earlier generations of feminists first formulated answers to this question in the 1970s. Their views are still broadly held, but with increasing tentativeness and a growing sense of their inadequacy. Even now, Catholic women and men still say, "It's my Church and I'm not leaving," "Change will only happen if people like me stay and fight," and "The Church's work for social justice is more important than the issues that concern me as a feminist." Yet in a post-#MeToo, #ChurchToo moment, when the Church seems disconnected from struggles for racial justice and LGBTQ inclusion, those answers sound increasingly insufficient. Today, tensions between Catholicism and feminism are more visible and ties to Catholic communities are increasingly weak. Can Catholic feminism survive?Julie Hanlon Rubio argues that it can. But if it is going to do so, it is necessary to rethink how women and men who experience the pull of feminism and Catholicism can credibly claim both identities. In Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist? Rubio argues that Catholic feminist identity is only tenable if we frankly acknowledge tensions between Catholicism and feminism, bring forward shared concerns, and embrace the future with ambiguity and creativity. Rubio explores the potential for synergy and dialogue between Catholics and feminists through various lenses, including sexual violence, gender theory, pregnancy and pre-natal loss, work-life balance, relationships and family life, spirituality, conscience, and what it means to be human. This book gives those who struggle to balance Catholicism and feminism a credible path to authentic belonging.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2024

Reviews

[Bluestocking · Rating 1 out of 5]

No.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in the deep, dark crevasse between feminism and Catholicism. I’ve been here my entire life. I was raised by a feminist. My mother received her degree in accounting from a Big Ten University in the 1940s. She was the only female in her major. Interestingly, she was immediately hired by the university before and above all of her male counterparts. She was a barrier breaker by nature, as was her own mother. My mother was also a devout Catholic. How did she manage this? And what did she teach me?

My mother taught me that the Catholic Church (the institution) has been unchanged for millennia and will continue to be that way. On earth, it is the ultimate patriarchy above all others. It has no motivation to change. It is run by men for men who love power. Period. End of discussion. Oh wait…..there never is a discussion. All of the canonical gospels were written by men for men. They turn women in to archetypical stereotypes. There is the ever pure Virgin Mary and the ever evil Eve and Mary Magdalene. Men in the Catholic Church love portraying females as extremes. So what to do?

My mom taught me to keep my eyes on the prize. Just focus on Christ. Christ was surrounded by women during his entire preaching mission. His mother, Mary Magdalene and a small cadre of women followed Christ and lived with him during his travels. Mary Magdalene was his closest confidant. She was at his arrest, trial, and the first to see him following his resurrection. He called her by name to go and tell the others. She is the apostle to the apostles. Christ himself commissioned her. No matter what the Catholic Church preaches or omits, this information about the women is in all four canonical gospels. Mary Magdalene never ran, hid, or denied Christ as All of the male apostles did.

So that’s what I do. I keep my eyes on the prize. I am irritated that the church won’t change. I am extremely irritated that the church refuses to even consider female priesthood. This nonsense will eventually be the church’s demise. I don’t walk away from the church but for Christ. It is difficult.

I appreciated this book, but clearly realize it presents no solutions. I ended up with many more questions than answers. But at least it places this issue of unadulterated patriarchy in what is supposed to be the most loving, merciful, welcoming, equitable, and kind place in the universe front and center. This book opens the eyes of its readers to face the truth that the Catholic Church condones the treatment of women as “less than” and “unworthy”. I do hope this truth will begin to grow and embarrass the church into change. I would recommend this book to others to foster conversations worldwide.