Feminism and the Vatican

Abstract

[The recent “Letter on the Collaboration of Men and Women” (2004) published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith continues Pope John Paul II's strong affirmation of women in church teaching, but also unfairly critiques two forms of feminism. Contemporary philosophical and theological feminist reflection on both equality and difference suggests a better, dialectical approach that requires women's full participation in Church and society, encourages what is special to the “genius of women,” and overcomes what is unacceptable in “complementarity.”]