Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Weaver chronicles the development of American Catholic feminism in six thorough and superbly documented chapters. Beginning with a survey of women's little-noticed contributions to American Catholicism, she goes on to describe the emergence of feminist consciousness in Catholic laywomen, the ``immigrants becoming emigrants,'' and in nuns, the ``inside outsiders'' of the Church. She presents and analyzes Catholic women's demand first for ordination and later for structural change, the contributions of feminist theologians, and the spirituality that derives from contemporary women's experience. This compendium will be useful for reference as well as reading in most libraries. Myriel Crowley Eykamp, formerly with M.I.T. Libs. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

This assessment of currents in Roman Catholic feminism is a strong argument against existing structures in the Church. In a wide-ranging survey that includes the significant Womanchurch movement, Weaver, a professor of religious studies at Indiana University, examines older models of women's participation in the Church and presents questions and developments in the framework of what could be seen as a new Reformation. In the author's view, feminist theologians, breaking through the door of patriarchy, express a new understanding of ecclesiology and present an exhilarating variety of human possibilities. Weaver's account of the historically marginal status of women in the Church is troubling; her readable advocacy is enlightening as well. January 22 (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved