Overview

The Virgin Mary is considered the most powerful female religious figure in western civilization. Yet the official image of Mary is a troubling one. In traditional Catholicism, she is venerated for her humility, her lowliness in the sight of God, and her perpetual virginity. Christian feminists challenge this sexist portrayal, which reinforces oppression against women. They propose instead an image of a stronger, more independent Mary. Hail Mary covers this struggles to control the imagery of Mary, illustrating how Mary is central to the Church's moral control over Catholic women and therefore pivotal in any movement for change.

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9780415913034

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Reviews

This fascinating analysis of the many images of Mary illuminates ideological struggles within Catholicism. An important contribution to feminist thought. -Barrie Thorne, Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies, University of California, Berkeley. Hamington has written such a fascinating book that I had to put my pen down lest I underline everything.. - National Catholic Reporter ...this work reads well and is worth one's time and effort. It provides an interesting approach to Mary- a provocative work reminding Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox A good overview of feminist problems with promises of Mary in contemporary Catholicism.. - WATERwheel Vol. 9, No. 4, 1996 Harrington's book is an excellent discussion of both the development of Marian imagery and its critique by feminist theology ... This analysis of Mary is a splendid vehicle for the discussion of the Catholic Church's understanding of women. - Church History

Hamington (Women's Studies/Mount St. Mary's Coll.) surveys feminist critiques of the role of Mary in Catholicism and calls for a fundamental deconstruction of the Church's beliefs. According to Hamington and the authors he quotes, the cult of Mary in the Catholic Church is essentially a social construct, which has been manipulated by the male hierarchy down the centuries in order to oppress women. In this scenario, Mary's highly idealized status is really the projection of celibate men's fear of sexuality and their longing for an inaccessible mother figure. The exaltation of the Virgin, we are told, rules out any voice for the experiences of real women, who are sexual, passionate, and independent human beings. Hamington devotes iconoclastic chapters to the themes of Mary's perpetual virginity, her role as the all-powerful mother and mediator, and the concept of Mary as the New Eve. He draws heavily on the writings of feminist theologians Mary Daly, Rosemary Radford Ruether, and Elisabeth Schussler Fiorzenza, but his knowledge of the Catholic tradition, especially in the formative early centuries, is minimal and seems to be drawn from encyclopedias and poor secondary sources. The text abounds in sweeping and unverifiable assertions: e.g. that monasticism is masochistic and aspects of Marian devotion cause wife abuse. The author's desire to provide Catholics with relevant input is seriously undermined by his speaking from positions that few would recognize as Catholic, or indeed Christian: e.g. that Mary should be viewed independently of Christ and may be adored as a goddess. For Hamington, in fact, all statements of Christian belief are nothing but socially conditioned images that reflect human experience. A botched opportunity to present some potentially valuable insights. (Kirkus Reviews)

This fascinating analysis of the many images of Mary illuminates ideological struggles within Catholicism. An important contribution to feminist thought. <br>-Barrie Thorne, Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies, University of California, Berkeley. <br> Hamington has written such a fascinating book that I had to put my pen down lest I underline everything.. <br>- National Catholic Reporter ...this work reads well and is worth one's time and effort. It provides an interesting approach to Mary- a provocative work reminding Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox <br> A good overview of feminist problems with promises of Mary in contemporary Catholicism.. <br>- WATERwheel Vol. 9, No. 4, 1996 <br> Harrington's book is an excellent discussion of both the development of Marian imagery and its critique by feminist theology ... This analysis of Mary is a splendid vehicle for the discussion of the Catholic Church's understanding of women. <br>- Church History <br>

This fascinating analysis of the many images of Mary illuminates ideological struggles within Catholicism. An important contribution to feminist thought. -Barrie Thorne, Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies, University of California, Berkeley. Hamington has written such a fascinating book that I had to put my pen down lest I underline everything.. - National Catholic Reporter ...this work reads well and is worth one's time and effort. It provides an interesting approach to Mary- a provocative work reminding Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox A good overview of feminist problems with promises of Mary in contemporary Catholicism.. - WATERwheel Vol. 9, No. 4, 1996 Harrington's book is an excellent discussion of both the development of Marian imagery and its critique by feminist theology ... This analysis of Mary is a splendid vehicle for the discussion of the Catholic Church's understanding of women. - Church History

Author Information

Maurice Hamington, Oregon State University

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