BOOK REVIEW: "Feminist Theology with a Canadian Accent"
*Originally published in CATHOLIC REGISTER, August 2008
Mary Ann Beavis, Editor (with Elaine Guillemin and Barbara Pell) Novalis Press 2008, 444pp.
With the Catholic Church refusing to ordain women or to even entertain the idea, Feminists and the Church have entered into a longstanding "non-meeting of the minds". Because of this deadlock, dialogue has turned to monologue, a sad reality reflected in the pages of Feminist Theology with a Canadian Accent, a collection of 19 essays by Canadian Feminist theologians and scholars.
The numerous essays here are extremely diverse and defy classification, however various themes emerge: the history of the women's movements in Canadian churches, including efforts to ordain women in the Catholic Church; the experience of women in various contexts (Asian, First Nations, lesbian, Francophone) and the theological and spiritual struggles therein; Feminism and ecological issues; and finally, Feminist theology and the arts in Canada.
The most notable contributions are on the topic of ecology, which appears to be the most promising new chapter in Feminist theology; essays by Heather Eaton, Cristina Vanin, and Jessica Fraser explore this most pressing concern. Those interested in the arts will also find a rich exploration of Feminist theological themes in Canadian art and literature.
But save a handful of essays, the overarching trouble with this book is that it all too often reads less like theology and more like "Cultural Studies Critiques the Church." Of course the problem is that Cultural Studies stands on some extremely shaky left-wing ideological foundations. If concepts such as 'neo-imperialism', 'neo-liberalism,' or 'phallocentricism' are not part of your worldview, this book will often prove alienating. Some of the more radical examples include essays slamming the United Church for its insensitivity towards homosexuals (no, that's not a misprint). Or the critique of Canadian multiculturalism from the perspective that it only pretends to welcome immigrants, but is really just a tool of the scheming status quo devised to dominate new recruits of immigrant 'serfs' (Foiled again by the evil genius of Caribana!).
Again, the tone is all too often against Christianity; which is antithetical to the greater purpose of theology—faith seeking understanding. I'm sure that the authors in question see themselves as purifiers or liberators of the Christian tradition, but the overall feel is much too hostile for any constructive dialogue to emerge.
This is not to say that the Christian tradition has nothing to account for in its relations with women; but page after page the baby is thrown out with the bathwater as postmodern praise is lavished on the ‘transgression’ and subversion’ of Christianity, rather than on its healing and restoration. All too often I was jarred by sentences like this: “For these authors, the traditional themes of martyrdom, vicarious atonement and self-sacrifice only serve to mask, justify and perpetuate ancient patterns of patriarchal violence. Rather than resorting to traditional religion for comfort, answers or solutions, the novels cite alternative spiritualities (Goddess spirituality, ecological spirituality, mysticism) or no religion at all as sources of insight and inspiration.” (Beavis p.368) Or Cree poet Louise Bernice Halfe’s poem Blue Marrow, which is celebrated because; “By rewriting those earlier traditions, the poet simultaneously criticizes colonial religion (a.k.a. Christianity) while articulating an entirely different system of belief.” (Gilmour p.371) There is a fine line between Liberation Theology, and liberation from theology; a line crossed way too many times in these essays.
Perhaps in a way it is fitting that the publication of this book should coincide with the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae. Writing in First Things (Aug/Sept 08) Mary Ebestadt argues that this once laughing-stock of a document appears to have been vindicated by history (insert gasp here); the dark side of the sexual revolution has been a dramatic de-population of the west; the breathtaking ascent of pornography; the breakdown of marriage and the family—and the dire economic, social and psychological impact this has had on women. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of abortions performed annually (many of which are increasingly becoming sex-selective, targeting female fetuses)… Why are these matters not being addressed?
Not to put all the responsibility on Feminists for repairing the relationship with the Catholic Church—the Church is certainly not excelling in its outreach to Feminists—but to move from monologue to dialogue, Feminist Theologians would do well to break with party line and address some of these realities; perhaps even conceding that there is some wisdom in Church teaching on issues relating to women. Female ordination in the Catholic Church is unlikely to happen any time soon, and the Church will certainly never sanction abortion: but that doesn't make it a one-dimensional boogeyman of patriarchal oppression either.
