Catholic Moral Theology’s Contributions to
Global Feminist Ethics
Nancy Rourke, Division of Humanities,
College of Professional Studies
Abstract: I will present
contributions of Catholic women and the Catholic tradition to
feminist global ethical discourse, on two levels. First, on
the level of method: Catholic theologians work in a context which
is inherently global. Catholic ethical discourse engages
communities of members all over the world and at all levels of
education and of (ecclesial) power. The challenges of global
ethical discourse are thus quite familiar to Catholic women and to
Catholic feminists. We engage discussion partners who are
often suspicious of our hopes as women, especially when we speak
about bioethics and sexual ethics. As a result, Catholic
women have developed methods of writing and teaching under hostile
scrutiny, while also protecting our own survival. Second, on
the level of content: Catholic theology itself offers an invaluable
contribution to feminist ethical discourse. Catholic ethics
has at times been harmful to women in practice. However,
Catholic feminists argue that this is a result of the inadequate
practice of good theory. Not one to waste good theory, I
suggest a renewed application of understandings of God as Trinity
and of natural law approaches to ethics.