Editor’s Note: On October 1, 2009 Tomorrow’s Trust published a review, “Searching for Equality” of From the Pews in the Back by Noel Cooper. Seeing as the book was by Catholic women, I sought out a review by a woman with many years of experience teaching religious education in Canadian Catholic schools.

December 09, 2009 (Catholic education, Catholic schools)

By Mary Ann Takacs Debly

From the Pews in the Back: Young Women and Catholicism

Edited by Kate Dugan and Jennifer Owens

(Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2009),

236 + xxiv pages

http://www.litpress.org/Detail.aspx?ISBN=9780814632581

This book is a true gift of honesty, straight forwardness, and sincerity. It expresses the very real struggles of these Post Vatican II young Catholic Women. It is a collection of inspiring essays written by thirty young women born in the 70’s and 80’s which represents a snapshot of young female voices within U.S. Catholicism. It is obvious their faith journey is deeply valued and important to them.

As stated in the “Forward” of the book, the writers often are negotiating between frustration with the patriarchy of the Church and the threat of forced spiritual eviction from their religious home. It is this deep sense of being at home in their Catholic faith that causes much pain and frustration because a clear pastoral response to their questions and concerns are frequently lacking.

These women, nevertheless, inspire a deep sense of hope as they push boundaries of the Vatican II definition of Catholic identity, and do so with profound respect. The statements of these writers show a real spirit of reflection and willingness to struggle with the issues. They do not take Catholicism for granted.

Throughout the stories that are shared, there is an overall sense of awe, especially in their early years of growing in an understanding of their faith. This includes an appreciation of many of the traditional Catholic signs and symbols, such as statues, palms, lights and sacramentals. These are frequent reminders of God’s presence. Several writers mentioned the tabernacle lamp as another of the many sacred signs.

One comment that stood out is “My faith is messier now.” Personally, for me growing up as a cradle Catholic and attending Catholic elementary, high school, and university in the 40’s and 50’s there wasn’t much room for messiness because there were so many “absolutes” and no room for questioning or addressing the real issues. The statements of these women are so much more integrated and connected to a sense of the presence of God here and now in the “real” stuff of everyday living.

One writer describing life as a young person clearly expressed, “We did not explore in a way that engaged my mind and heart”. There was much surprise and amazement when this changed and discovery began to unfold so many new insights about living and breathing an alive Catholic faith. By college age, many of these women “met the new awakening.” They are claiming a place in the Church and are calling other Catholics to talk with them about this claim.

One way of addressing this new awakening is to name the hierarchical/institutional Church and “The People of God” Church. Ideally these two groups are one, but frequently this is not the case. Many more women today are theologically and academically well educated. They expect to engage in dialogue and honest conversation. Too often there are mostly dictates decided upon within closed hierarchical groups that frequently include decision making by men alone and proclaimed or dictated to the laity, “The People of God Church”.

One writer aptly named this disconnect in writing, “Our usual retort – the church is the people in the pews not the hierarchy, rings hollow since the people in the pews don’t make the rules, count the money, or decide who gets denied Communion.” Thinking, reflective Catholics too often experience this disconnect.

One of the writers expressed a very important insight naming two theologies: 1) Vertical Theology which means primarily seeking heaven and the hereafter,

2) Horizontal Theology which means working for heaven here on earth. This greater focus on the here and now, which truly expresses the presence of God here and now in each of us and everyone around us, provides a profound awakening and awareness of living in the moment and in God’s presence. This awakening can be a truly amazing insight and understanding in terms of down-to-earth every day living and how this affects the choices and decisions we make.

One writer’s comment, “The members of the Catholic Church are called to be voyagers – both welcomed home and welcoming home” has great depth of meaning for the experience of Community which should be very central in the living of our Catholic faith. The rhythm and action of welcoming and being welcomed requires a great sense of commitment – a giving and receiving. It is Christ’s presence within this action that makes possible the deep sense and experience of community.

A powerful realization of the meaning of Eucharist was expressed when one woman was nursing her child in the middle of the night and heard herself say the words, “Take this and eat it”. She further stated that the importance of nursing as a metaphor for the love of God is found throughout the Hebrew Bible and the history of Christianity. This metaphor speaks so positively of a relationship with our God.

One writer’s simple comment, “Catholic piety runs deep” seemed to be a frequent thread throughout these women’s stories and comments. I recall this also from many of my own childhood memories and wonder if this thread of piety often is more common for women than for men.

Many women in the collection push against the church’s stances on sex and sexuality. This is evident also in the statements from a few of the Lesbian women. It was a delight to read the comment: “I am a lesbian who grew up Catholic. The first is nature, the latter nurture”. This simple statement so clearly names the fact that homosexuality is not a matter of choice but within the intrinsic nature of the individual. It often seems the Institutional Church still has a long way to go to treat homosexual persons with the dignity they rightfully deserve.

In conclusion of reading this thoughtfully written book and reflecting on the stories and comments shared by the writers, I believe strongly these women do not need to sit in the back pew. It is courageous women and men of our People of God Catholic Church who are brave enough to keep asking the questions and raising challenging issues who continue to enliven and keep the Church vibrant and hope-filled.

This is a time for honest searching, questioning and supporting one another as is so well expressed by these writers. It is a time when committed teachers can listen to the real stories and concerns of students and through their guidance make a profound difference in these person’s faith journey. Further, it is important to keep reading and exploring the exciting insights contemporary theologians are saying.

It is important to keep a solid sense of humour so things stay in perspective. As each of us continue our own faith journey it is necessary to have a deep respect and reverence for the sacredness of each person’s faith journey.

Mary Ann Takacs Debly is a former religious education consultant with the York Catholic District School Board. In 2002 she was the recipient of the Catholic Religious Education Consultants of Ontario Award of Merit

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