Defending Human Dignity: Catholic Answers to Gender, Abortion, and Relativism

by Marie Brousseau

178 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2025

Reviews

[Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated the most was the author's honesty, as it is a fact that we Christians live perplexed all the time (sort of), considering how fast the world is changing, and for the worse. Most of us know what is wrong with the world (as did Chesterton), and why things like abortion and gender theory are wrong, at least in general terms; but, practically, it is hard to defend the truth without knowledge of
the facts, and, in this sense, these essays are more than a mere introduction—they are just enough.

Here in Brazil, people have the illusion that Canada and the USA are an earthly paradise—sometimes, they look like dystopias for me. It makes me think how progress without morals is more harmful to us than any natural disaster could ever be. Modern culture kills the soul, and slowly but often kills the body too. It is tragic that mankind feels so safe in its castle of technology that we have to find reasons to harm ourselves. People find more pain when they run from pain.

There is only one point that felt insufficient for me, and it was the discussion about Fr. Rupnik. I bear no hate towards him, but his art is on the verge of being wicked: it is highly probable that it had a direct relationship to the harm he inflicted to his victims, and this is enough to call at least some of his works sacrilegious. Even without this, there is the matter of the scandal, not only for the victims, but for the whole Church and for people outside. I know that opinions vary within the hierarchy, but it seems important to note these circumstances surrouding his art.

Aside from this, I personally think his paintings are ugly. I cannot articulate in artistical terms, but they never inspired me devotion, only unease. They are far from the mystical beauty of holy icons; far from the simplicity of a Fra Angelico or even the natural harmony of Renaissance art. Even El Greco's works exhale virtue, but in Rupnik, there's just nothing. If the allegations are true, we know now what filth hides in that void.

(I found this article voicing other concerns about his art: https://hilarywhite.substack.com/p/th... )

PS: It is a minor thing, but I read the Kindle version and had a few problems with the table of contents. Some chapter entries were duplicated and the Prologue and Conclusion were missing; however, the text of the book itself was OK. I didn't experience it with other e-books I own.

[Marie Brousseau]

“This is an excellent book of essays, written from the viewpoint of a Canadian Catholic teacher. The author has done her research and explains Catholic teachings on human dignity and morality with finesse. Highly recommend!” – Ellen Gable, Catholic author and publisher; visit her blog at Plot Line and Sinker

[Marie Brousseau]

« Ce livre est un excellent recueil d’essais, rédigé du point de vue d’une enseignante catholique canadienne. L’auteure a fait ses recherches et explique avec finesse les enseignements catholiques sur la dignité humaine et sur la morale. Vivement recommandé! » — Ellen Gable, auteure et éditrice catholique ; visitez son blogue Plot Line and Sinker

[Jim Sano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently happened upon a book by Marie Brousseau titled Defending Human Dignity: Catholic Answers to Gender, Abortion, and Relativism. In an age where in-depth debate on serious topics of life and dignity is rarely allowed a forum for expression, her book was a breath of fresh air. I found it to be extremely well researched and beautifully written on these topics, often seen as too sensitive, actually, to hear the rationale and basis of the “other side.” Whether you agree or disagree with her on each topic, at least you are presented with clarity and conviction on why conservative Christians like Marie have developed their understandings of these issues that strike at the core of the dignity of the human person. Some will say it takes a great deal of courage to speak out with conviction on these hot-button topics, but what I found is an author and thinker who cares enough to share the objective truth more than opinion. Thank you for sharing this deeply needed treatment of these very human truths.

[Ellen Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book of essays, written from the viewpoint of a Canadian Catholic teacher. The author has done her research and explains Catholic teachings on human dignity and morality with finesse. Highly recommend!