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    I'm a Catholic feminist, and my church needs me more than ever

    Kristina Keneally
    The pope’s comments about “breeding like rabbits” highlight the precise reason the Catholic church needs input from feminist agitators like me
    catholic girl
    ‘While girls can be altar servers now, we’ve still got a long way to go, baby.’ Photograph: ALI JAREKJI/REUTERS
    I recall standing in my grandmother’s kitchen with her yellow Bakelite phone to my ear, waiting on hold for a talkback radio program. I was eight years old, and my family was in another room listening to the Catholic Bishop of Toledo take questions from callers on the local AM station.
    Finally it was my turn. “Bishop Donovan,” I said, “I’m in third grade. The priest at our school has come to our class to ask for boys to volunteer to be altar servers. Why can’t girls volunteer too?”
    Poor Bishop Donovan. He mumbled something about church tradition and the importance of serving at mass as a first step towards priesthood – where, again, one obviously had to be male – and moved on to the next caller.
    Unsatisfactory, I thought. And my career as a Catholic feminist began.
    38 years later, I’m still a Catholic and a feminist. I’ve got a degree in religious studies, specialising in feminist theology, and while girls can be altar servers now (take that, Bishop Donovan), we’ve still got a long way to go, baby.
    Pope Francis’s recent comment that Catholics need not “breed like rabbits,” while insisting that artificial contraception is still banned, left many shaking their heads. Here was yet another example of the all-male Catholic hierarchy completely failing to understand what it is like to be a woman, or to live in a family, or to exercise control over fertility.
    The Catholic church so overtly and fully excludes women from certain jobs and seeks to deny them certain rights that some dismiss the idea that a true feminist can profess the Catholic faith. Yet this is precisely why the Catholic church needs feminists.
    The idea that one can’t be a Catholic and a feminist usually starts with a misunderstanding of what it is to be Catholic. In strict technical terms, a Catholic is someone who believes in those things listed in the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed: God, the creator of heaven and earth; Jesus Christ, the son of God who was crucified, died and resurrected; the Holy Spirit; the holy Catholic church (that is, the entire community of those who believe in Jesus Christ); the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
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    That’s it. No mention in our creeds of artificial contraception, an all-male priesthood, denying communion to divorced people or excluding homosexuals. It’s not particularly surprising – not one of the four Gospels records Jesus passing significant comments on such matters.
    Everything in the Catholic church after Jesus’s death and resurrection represents human attempts to interpret and apply the teachings of Christ to our circumstances. Because men fairly exclusively ran the world until very recently, it has been fairly exclusively men in the Catholic church who’ve done the interpreting and applying. Not overly surprising, then, that the result is a set of teachings and rules that exclude and oppress women.
    A Catholic feminist insists that women’s experience is just as valid as men’s when it comes to understanding the nature of God, the teachings of Christ, the movement of the Holy Spirit and how we are to live as Christians in the world today.
    OK, I hear you saying, but how can a Catholic disagree with the church? Don’t you Catholics believe the (male) pope is infallible? Aren’t you required to follow what the (exclusively male) bishops say?
    There’s no simple answer to that question, but the short answer is no. First of all, papal infallibility (and its related concept, the infallibility of the church) is not what people often think it is. The pope is not infallible in every utterance he makes. In fact, he only very occasionally speaks infallibly, and when he does it is specifically noted. For example, the Assumption of Mary (into heaven) is an infallible teaching. The ban on artificial contraception is not.
    Secondly, a Catholic has an obligation to follow her fully-formed conscience, even if it brings her into conflict with church teaching. A fully-formed conscience consults not only scripture and church teaching but also the sciences and human experience.
    Conscience is a crucially important aspect of Catholic teaching and was given great emphasis in Vatican II, the reforming and modernising council that took place between 1962-65. Conservative popes – such as John Paul II – have sought to redefine conscience in order to discourage debate and dissent, but the role of a fully-formed conscience in the life of Catholics is significant and cannot be extinguished.
    A Catholic feminist is a bit like a conscientious objector. She loves what sits at the heart of her faith, and fights what she cannot, in good conscience, accept in her church.
    Sometimes people ask me why I don’t just leave such an anachronistic institution and join a Christian church where women can have a say, serve as ordained minsters and formally contribute to theological and moral teachings. Sometimes I ask myself the same question. It’s not easy being a Catholic feminist – sometimes it is downright infuriating – but I love the sacraments and the liturgy of the Catholic church, and I love the value it places on scripture and tradition. Why should I abandon my expression of faith to the all-male hierarchy? Why not stay and advocate for a more inclusive church, better theology, and teachings more reflective of the lived experience of women?
    I’m no saint, but when I am most exasperated with the church, I recall that among the communion of saints are hundreds of examples of people who openly disagreed with the church hierarchy. Think of Mary MacKillop – excommunicated at one point – now elevated to sainthood by the same institution that threw her out.
    Agitators for change are part of the Catholic church’s rich history: Catholic feminists follow in that tradition.

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    • 0 1
      An uneducated woman who can't think for herself.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      Interesting article. I say, go for it! The Catholic Church has always been to me the only one of the Abrahamic religions that acknowledges the female presence, in the form of Mary. And there are many Mary cults. Mary is accessible to women all over and important in their lives.
      There are also great nun organizations. Some like the Irish nuns are found serving people in the worst places of conflict, and the 'liberation theology' practised by many priests and nuns in Latin America is a prime example of 'conscience,' even though the Catholic hierarchy tried to discredit it, some of their work remain the finest testament to Catholicism in regional history.
      I don't see why not have married priests and celibate men and women. Some people are ascetic by nature, wired to be celibate, so keep their orders, and monastic orders too, which cater to another type of human spiritual experience. I hope this lady keeps going and finds a big following.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      The question is not whether the Catholic Church needs women but whether Almighty God needs any religion, responsible for the abominations going on in the world.
      All religions need to produce peaceable fruits, but do they?
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      If the boys won't let you join in their self-serving game then why bother to join it? You can be spiritual without being part of a religion.
      There is no argument or reason that you can ever use to persuade them to regard you as a full human being, 'cause they've made up this book that they quote from rather than discuss the actual rights or wrongs.
      Reply |
      • 1 2
        The Catholic Church regards women as "full human beings".
        The fact that no man can bear children, and thus be a mother, does not deny the status of men as "full human beings". Similarly the fact that no woman can validly receive the sacrament of holy orders does not deny the status of women as "full human beings".
        Reply |
    • 1 2
      Why on earth would someone belong to an organisation that is opposed to that in which they believe..?
      If you believe in God just worship him in your own way and let the official church go the way of the Dodo...
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      A catholic feminist. There's an oxymoron if ever there was one.
      You say "I recall . among ... saints are hundreds of . people who openly disagreed with the church .. Think of Mary MacKillop – excommunicated at one point – now elevated to sainthood .."
      What about the thousands, or hundreds of thousands of critics who were murdered by the church, in the name of god?
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      All these roman catholics with their own set of rules drive me batty. Believe me, I grew up in a country full of them (NL). If you don't want to wear the team's shirt and don't want to do what the coach tells you, don't insist on a place in the starting 11. Or even a place on the bench. You're not in the team. Period.
      Reply |
    • This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
    • This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
    • 4 5
      I don't understand, after the extremely well-publicised scandal of child abuse and the cover-ups within the Catholic Church, how anyone defines themselves as Catholic anymore or how they think the Church has any moral authority whatsoever.
      Reply |
      • 1 2
        Because any and all churches are made up of human beings who are always imperfect. Every single religion has individuals who transgress the most sacred tenets of that religion. The Catholic Church, as an institution, definitely has much to be addressed. However, the whole religion should not be condemned for the action of some, as egregious as those actions were. There are many, MANY Catholics who were as appalled by the scandal as non-Catholics.
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      • 0 1
        "... human beings ... are always imperfect."
        Yes, but in the catholic church the problem of sexual abuse is systemic, and exposed globally. There is no excuse and no addressing the root cause: celibacy for people who are patently incapable of adhering. And no wonder, sex is instinctive, you can't suppress it without inevitable distortion which results in abuse.
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    • 4 5
      The Church's all-male hierarchy seems to harbor a pathological fear of women having much say in anything, and in particular a fear of women's sexuality and reproductive capacity.
      Reply |
    • 3 4
      It's all complete hokum run by silly old men to suppress intelligent, creative women
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      Catholicism was founded on the crucifixion of Christ. All forms of Christianity come frome it, our laws, and the way we conduct ourselves as a society included. Got news for ya. Christ was a man that did exist and that's uncontrovertabaly proven. The fight should be with the church itself in its failures to adhere to doctrin. Pedophile s for one thing would be hung in the public square if I had my way, and homosexual marriages would not need to be discussed. GOD said no. And that's that.
      Reply |
      • 1 2
        "And that's that."
        Not quite. But good for you.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        tbh, if I join a golf club, it's to play golf.
        Why is it that when a bunch of people come along to the golf club and start screaming about how boring golf is and how they really just want to play tennis on the golf green they cannot understand why it is that golfers are against it ?
        If I want to play tennis, guess what...? I don't join a fucking golf club.
        Reply |
      • 2 3
        No .Most of our laws and especially those relating to equality,freedom of expression and social justice are products of secular movements and The Enlightenment and were often won despite the opposition of the the Roman Catholic church.
        Reply |
    • 1 2
      The author seems to be dangerously confusing a "fully formed conscience" with moral relativism. And in spite of her dismissive tone of St. John Paul II, he was absolutely right to warn of the dangers of moral relativism.
      Reply |
    • 3 4
      I was born into an Irish Catholic family where, I have often joked, Catholicism seemed more of a diagnosis than a religion.. and I no longer practice nor really even believe. To most Catholics that would disqualify me from commenting on their religion, or any religion for that matter. Some comments come to mind.. first the term Catholic Feminist has an oxymoronic quality to it. Secondly, the church seems to functionally bear little practical resemblance to its cited gospel-based beliefs. Third the church has also massively and sometimes it seems systematically betrayed the millions of its adherents that quite genuinely and sincerely rely on it for ethical spiritual and moral guidance. The Catholic church and its mostly but not exclusively male functionaries, is, in short, a disappointingly and comprehensively corrupt structure: get out while you can..
      Reply |
    • 3 4
      A Catholic feminist is a bit like a conscientious objector. She loves what sits at the heart of her faith, and fights what she cannot, in good conscience, accept in her church.
      It's a nice line, but it confuses faith with religion.
      I'm in no position to discredit revelatory experiences - just never had one myself - but I can discredit religion, which is replete with so many warped and confused nostrums it appeals only to fanatics, fakes and the delusional.
      Which is why the author's claim to be a Catholic and a feminist deposits her squarely among them.
      The Catholic religion is so profoundly at odds with anything remotely politically progressive, it deserves neither the tolerance of liberals nor the indulgence of women who should know better.
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      A degree in religious studies.....could there be a more worthless degree!!!
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      "A fully-formed conscience consults not only scripture and church teaching, but also the science and the human experience."
      Sounds wishful thinking to me. So when it comes to contraception, it is reasonable to employ science to justify the right to use it, as this is a convenience of the modern woman. When it comes to the resurrection (biologically impossible) and Holy Spirit (ordinary bulshitting, mythology at best) etc, then there is no need for science and scientific reasoning. What for, after all...
      If sainthood is given to nonsense mumbling, then KK deserves it.
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      Stop wasting your energies on this didtatorial dinosaur male club.
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      I appreciate Ms Kennealy's sincerity but a "catholic feminist" seems an oxymoron to me.
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      Feminism (which is anti male) and chauvinism which is (anti female) have no place in the Church. Christ is male and Church personified as female. When a Christian uses "feminist" and "chauvinist" in front of the term "catholic" they are being uncatholic as the word means "universal". Christian Keneally doesn't get it. The sexes are complimentary and different. Nothing she rails against is unjust>It is as a ridiculous juxtaposition that shows she does not understand her faith very well and has misappropriated it doing with it what should never be done... conforming and distorting her faith to her own self, to the whims of the times rather than herself to the faith. I do not feel aggrieved that Christ was born of a spotless virgin (female) who is above all humans. I don't find it offensive that she is a woman, it is not a slur against my masculinity. I don't think great brave female saints in the Church through history are to be sneered at because of their gender. Who would??? Yet Keneally does this when it comes to men and in the name of gender war labels attacks the way Christ structured His Church. She has declared war between the sexes.
      I suggest she appreciate valuing her being female much more. I suggest she sees things in broader more Christian terms. Just being a rebel and being bent on contrariness which is a Keneally trait for its own sake is no excuse.
      Reply |
      • 2 3
        Jesus did not structure "his church".
        Catholicism is an archaic remnant of the The Roman Empire as much as it is a religion.Right down to its worship of saints which are substitutes for Roman gods.Why would any women bother with it when there are much better,modern,authentic and non sexist Christian alternatives?
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      • 0 1
        You may be entitled to your personal views about the Catholic church sir ( although I think many of your 'arguments' put here today are so circular as to be entirely unworthy of further scrutiny)
        However, just stop your Keneally-bashing you silly person.
        She's not "declaring war between the sexes". She's merely expressing views different to your own.
        Real adults learn to discuss.
        Grow up!
        Reply |
    • 2 3
      I applaud Keneally for working to improve things but suggest that truth and respect are paramount. Surely the Catholic Church cannot and doesn't deserve to survive centuries of priests abusing children. Indeed how can congregations be convinced to trust the institution and its leaders when they have misbehaved so badly? Also the Vatican shares responsibility for the epidemic of human over-population with all other major religions. I suggest there is more history to the Catholic Church than a future.
      Reply |
      • 1 2
        Keneally doesn't want to improve anything she is just contrary and a rebel without a clue. She wants to conform the Church to her version of it called Keneallyism or meeeeism. This in itself is just one sort of human sin in all its versions at work. Clergy sin but we know its is sin. The laity of people in the pew sin.... the sins of the clergy reflect the people and society they serve. I am sure you sin but probably don't know. How is "the Vatican" responsible for over population. Think of China and India be real! Many so called Catholics like some clergy just self sterilise call the sin they like good. I will tell you The Church knows what sin is.... but many being what they are do it anyway! Is it the Church's fault... no. each person must take personal responsibility for their own sin and virtue. They must root out vice in themselves. Not lose hope and sin more.
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      • 0 1
        Deesis, unless and until the Catholic church (and others) completely open to scrutiny their records regarding abuse you cannot argue the church's innocence behind the veil of 'personal responsibility'.
        Your China + India anecdotal evidence re overpopulation... I could bounce Africa and South America back at you... neither are helpful.
        What would be helpful in terms of both disease mitigation, overpopulation (and all species' survival here) is if the Catholic church's rule-makers would change their peculiar views regarding the regular use of contraception. Recommend that, proselytize that, and you'd all be making a contribution to the welfare of both the planet and it's inhabitants.
        Reply |
    • 3 4
      Nope, not a feminist.
      Reply |
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    • 0 1
      I admire the fact that you still value aspects of the Catholic church. I am a Catholic but cannot be part of such a male hierarchy and patriarchal church. Your point regarding the Pope's latest message re the prevention of artificial contraception shows a complete disrespect for women's rights.
      Reply |
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