Law and Christian Feminism

I've been meaning to say something about Saturday's Lumen Christi program in D.C. since I returned home Sunday morning, so I was glad to see Rick's post on the subject.  The entire day was energizing.

I participated in a panel entitled Law and Christian Feminism, that also included presentations by Lisa Schiltz and Marie Failinger.  Marie brought what she describes as a "Luteran sort-of-feminist perspective, whereas Lisa and I both speak as Catholics.

My talk had two parts.  The first was an exploration of what a Catholic Feminist Legal Theory can contribute to discussions of the law that is unique and different from the contributions of secular feminist theory.  The second was a discussion of some of the challenges articulation of a Catholic Feminist Legal Theory faces.  As to the first, CFLT brings to the table (1) a different understanding of he nature of the human person than that underlying secular feminist thought (that is, an understanding of the human being as relational by nature, and not by choice); (2) a different understanding of sex and gender; and (3) the benefits flowing from viewing God through feminine eyes.  As I continue to develop these three themes in my writing, I will also explore particular legal issues on which CFLT has something important to contribute.

I also spent some time talking about the challenges to articulation of a CFLT, that is, those things that need to be addressed in order for non-Catholics to take seriously a CFLT.  The four I identified and spoke briefly about are (1) the exclusion of women from certain positions in the Church, specifically the question of ordination; (2) the Church's position on contraception; (3) the historical narrative of subordination of women; (4) a misportrayal of Mary.

I hope Lisa will add some comments about her talk, which included a wonderful discussion of complementarity and why it is significant for non-Catholics, men and secular feminists as well as for Catholic women.