A Glimpse of the Goddess Frees Her Religious Imagination

Roberts, Tom, National Catholic Reporter

The debate over the place of women in the Roman Catholic Church was pushed to a new level of visibility earlier this month when Pope John Paul II urged U.S. bishops to counteract Catholic feminists who engage in such practices as nature worship and other rituals that depart from traditional Christianity.

Catholic feminists in the United States agree that to venture into ancient goddess and nature worship departs from traditional Christianity. But many feel that they have been driven to explore such alternatives because the "patriarchal church" has denied them full participation.

Critics of this view, of course, say that Catholic is Catholic and to venture into pagan rituals is to leave Catholicism behind.

One of the most aggressive antifeminist activists is Donna Steichen of Ojai, Calif. She …

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Publication information: Article title: A Glimpse of the Goddess Frees Her Religious Imagination. Contributors: Roberts, Tom - Author. Magazine title: National Catholic Reporter. Volume: 29. Issue: 35 Publication date: July 30, 1993. Page number: 28. © 2009 National Catholic Reporter. COPYRIGHT 1993 Gale Group.

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