March 11, 2022: How Feminist is the Catholic Church?

A Question of Principle over Practice

There are Church teachings, and then there are how they actually get lived out

Dear FemCatholic Readers,

Tuesday was International Women’s Day, and Pope Francis gave opening remarks at a vatican conference celebrating seven key women saints. In the past, Pope Francis has called for women to “be fully included in decision-making processes” and he has reiterated that “every step forward for women is a step forward for humanity as a whole.”

Past Popes have spoken out about equal pay, the importance of women’s leadership in public life, and against the idea that women’s value is merely in birthing babies. Now doesn’t that sound like something that aligns with a feminist agenda?

But the Church is not immune from the problems of the world - and sexism is one of them. The IWD theme this year was #BreakTheBias, encouraging people to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

In order to overcome bias and discrimination, we must hear women’s voices. Every single Sunday, Catholics around the world attend Mass and hear men give homilies. Many of these men are wonderful, insightful voices - but it begs the question, when and how will we hear from women?

In 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II proposed that the fastest way towards progress for women would not be merely condemning injustices against us, but actually promoting and amplifying women.

This mission - promoting the voices of women - is what drives us at FemCatholic. We’re working hard every day to bring you nuanced conversations on topics that are specifically relevant to your life as a woman in the 21st century. Whether it is how to talk about sex with your boyfriend, how to navigate conversations on abortion as laws are being challenged, or simply how to connect your faith with your real life - we are dedicated to empowering you with information you can trust and relate to.

If you’d like to support this crucial work and unlock access to everything we publish, please consider subscribing to a FemCatholic All Access Pass. To celebrate Women’s History Month, right now you can get 30 days free. Subscribe now – this offer ends tomorrow.

For women, for the Church,
Samantha Povlock
Founder, FemCatholic

Here are the other stories that caught our attention this week…

READ: Ukraine's formidable, not-so-secret weapon: Women

‍The strength and courage of Ukrainian women — on the front lines, in parliament and beyond — should not be overlooked or discounted.

WATCH: How the Church Beats Feminism at its own Game

‍Lawyer Erika Bachiochi shares her own journey from Atheist feminist to Catholic revert, and explains sexual asymmetry.

LISTEN: The Working Genius Podcast

‍The FemCatholic Team just took the Working Genius assessment to better understand our team and how we can best work together. We are loving it so far!