The Feminization of the Church?

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Father Joe

The title of the news article alone gives me the shivers. Do we really want to speak of “demasculinizing” the Church?

Yes, it is true that there is something unique about the feminine genius that can add to our theological insights; however, the basic truths of faith are what they are, regardless of the gender associated with the theologian or philosopher. Where I sometimes perceive a difference is that women thinkers tend to be more pragmatic or earthbound in their perspective. I suspect this emanates from their natural position as the caregivers of the home, making sure that family members are healthy, well-fed and secure. Note that there are few women philosophers in comparison to men— such often requires a detachment from particular terrestrial things so as to better reflect upon basic principles or absolutes. Indeed, women often get annoyed by men who have their minds in the sky instead of firmly grounded in the practical business of day-to-day existence. This is not to say that men are utterly detached. Good husbands and fathers are certainly aware of the sacrifices and hard work they must accomplish to provide for their families. But note that priests (who make up the majority of theologians in Catholicism) are directed to celibacy so as to free them from such concerns. Of course, the pastors of parishes are also rarely counted among great theologians simply because they do not have the time to sit down for extended theological reflections. Indeed, Pope Francis is insisting upon a new theology that would not focus upon the priest at his desk or even (perhaps) before the monstrance.

The Holy Father lamented at a recently gathering of theologians that only five out of thirty were female. My interest would be less in the gender breakdown and in the particular names and agendas of those assembled. Fortunately here in the United States, the liberal feminist theologians like Mary Daley (81 years old), Rosemary Radford Ruether (85 years old), Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza (85 years old) and Elizabeth Johnson (81 years old) are getting older and fewer while the more conservative, i.e. orthodox women theologians are tending to be much younger and growing in number.

Women have been invited to join the International Theological Commission since 2004. As women are given more representation in the commission and other church bodies, we can only hope that the women and men chosen will not be dissenters. It infuriates aging feminist theologians when women authorities are selected who embrace the Theology of the Body from Pope John Paul II or argue for a male-only priesthood. But these are the right sort of women who place fidelity to revealed truths over contemporary fads and politics.

I would suspect that the role of women in the Church is analogous to her role in the family. We speak of the Church with feminine imagery as “Mother Church.” I suspect there is a close approximation between the Immaculate Heart of Mary and this appreciation of our faith community where we are born again at the baptismal font, the spiritual womb of the Church. The best of women theologians would ruminate upon the gift of life and how the Church sustains her children. Further the Church is referenced in the liturgy as not only Mother to us but as the Bride of Christ. Analogies should never be taken too literally but they do speak to truth. This same Church is also regarded as the Mystical Body of Christ and that is discernably male given this designation from the incarnation.

The Holy Father desires the inclusion of women in the synodal process. This need not be something to fear, again if we make sure the right women are chosen— practicing Catholics, pro-life, dedicated to preserving the deposit of faith and urging all to keep the commandments and to live moral lives. I am reminded of the Supreme Court. The liberal voices clamor for more women and people of color but then never fail to gripe about Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett.

I cannot say I understood why the October Synod required a theological reflection on the possibility of deaconesses. Why consider what is already a moot point given the absolute prohibition of ordaining women? We are either going to frustrate or anger dissenters or there is a movement afoot to hijack the Church.

What precisely is the “male-dominated view” that still exists in society and the Church? The real danger to women is in the Trans movement where biological men are dressing up like girls and destroying women’s sports and worse yet, the very definition of “womanhood.” This is the ultimate feminization of men. Real men are struggling with emasculation in society— they do not know how to act and are thus increasingly failing to fulfill the manly role in the family and public forum. Do we want to do the same in the Church? Already, many critics are complaining that too many homosexuals have been ordained priests and that heterosexual clergy are finding themselves marginalized in the ministry.

Yes, women have always been important to the Church and we even count some important theological doctors among their number. Indeed, there are a multitude of female saints including the greatest of all, the Blessed Virgin Mary. All this has been made possible despite the so-called male-domination of the Church. Indeed, with the massive destruction of the women’s religious orders— today, more than in the traditional past— the value and talents of women are being minimized. Instead of the modern enlightenment we claim; we are actually moving backwards.

The Pope states: “The Church is woman and if we cannot understand what a woman is, what is the theology of women, we will never understand the Church. One of the great sins we have witnessed is ‘masculinizing’ the Church.” What? Should we really devalue or malign the theological reflections of great men like Augustine, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Bellarmine, von Balthasar, de Lubac, Congar, Ratzinger and others? I pray not, but the Holy Father commands all the same, “This is the job I ask of you, please: Demasculinize the church.”

Pope Francis is correct that theology should emerge from theologians “on [their] knees’ in adoration to God. Indeed, this is not new because Pope Benedict XVI also spoke about the necessity of humility. Of course the latter pope would also insist upon the perennial nature of truth as emerging from divine revelation— not as something that can be pushed as part of a political agenda or inserted by dissenters that would make a break with the past. It is here that I find very worrisome a charge for a new theology, “a paradigm shift, a brave cultural revolution,” that would further the novel ecclesial synodality. As of yet this synodality has shown no fruits, only dissention. Should we be hasty to embrace something unproven and controversial? So far many questions have been asked that are begging for answers. Those answers will please some and disappoint others. They will also unite and move the Church forward, or, in the worst case scenario, foster schism. As of right now, it is not dialogue that targets the voices on the right or those who prefer tradition to novelty; rather, we are experiencing with a degree of shock the intimidation of raw power. While the left and dissenters are largely left free to discuss whatever they want. Those who speak for objective truths or the aesthetic of tradition are increasingly silenced and censured. What surprises me is that even progressives who often tout freedom and the right to dissent are demanding pressure against their ideological opponents and their silencing. Who would have thought? It was the demand for ecclesial harmony that helped to fuel the behind-the-scenes efforts to hush up pedophile clergy. I am not saying that there is no place for ecclesial power and reprimand as a last recourse— but it should be against those who challenge the truths of the deposit of faith that come to us through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition— not the other way around. However, there should always be transparency and the use of argument or debate or dialogue before recourse to censure and anathema. The truth need not fear the challenges of falsehood.