Kateřina Bali
“And God Said: Let Us Make Human Beings…”
Reflections on Anthropological Motifs in Feminist Liberation Theology
Gender issues and related themes resonate throughout contemporary society, presenting a current challenge for theological reflection. This text situates considerations of the category of gender within the framework of theological thought, specifically reflecting the discourse of feminist liberation theology. In the anthropological ideas of feminist liberation theology, one can find inspiring motifs regarding a holistic view of the human person in their inalienable dignity – a person perceived by feminist theologians within a network of mutual partnership with others.
Zuzana R. Matisovská
On the Feminine Genius and Other Fairytales
Post-Conciliar Magisterial Thinking on Women – Six Elements
This study critically analyzes the development of the Catholic Church’s magisterial teaching in the post-conciliar period, focusing on gender stereotypes. The author identifies six methodological elements (crisis, specificity, sign, protection, manipulation, and double standards) that structure magisterial reasoning about women. She challenges the concept of sexual complementarity and the so-called “feminine genius” or “feminine values,“ pointing out inconsistencies in arguments aimed at maintaining patriarchal structures within a Christian context. In conclusion, she offers three criteria useful for reflecting on gender-conditioned roles within the Church and considers what ecclesiastical doctrine should contain to ensure it leads toward the genuine common good rather than demagogy.
Gabriela Langhammerová
All Too Human
The Genesis of Gender: Abigail Favale’s Christian Theory as the Gospel of the Anti-Gender Movement
Critical review of The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory by American academic Abigail Favale who offers a reflection on selected feminist and gender theories from the perspective of Catholic anthropology. The author addresses the biological concept of sex and gender, female identity and femininity, issues of contraception and planned parenthood, corporeality, and transgender issues. Her reflections stem from current, primarily cultural rather than academic, debates of the second decade of the 21st century and are closely linked to her own life story.
Patriarchy Prevents Both Women and Men from Being Fully Human
An Interview with Journalist Silvie Lauder
Silvie Lauder, a journalist for the weekly Respekt, discusses the process of becoming a feminist, drawing on her own experience of emancipation from a traditional environment as well as the contemporary transformations of Czech society, which she experiences firsthand as a public figure.
Helena Panczová
Woman-Irrationality and Woman-Wisdom
Portrayals of Women in Early Christian Allegorical Exegesis
This article provides an overview of ancient allegorical interpretations of biblical images of women, which developed along two primary lines: in the patriarchal current, “woman“ represented mainly irrationality; in matriarchal symbolism, “woman“ was an image of protection, education, and Divine Wisdom. Particular attention is paid to metaphors utilizing the image of patriarchal marriage to conceptualize the relationship between God and His people. All forms of ancient imagination continue to influence the perception of women in contemporary Christianity.
Karolína Štauberová
Mary – A Purified or Restricted Form of Womanhood?
This study examines the transformations of the image of the Virgin Mary as a theological and cultural model of womanhood throughout the history of Christian thought. It focuses on major Marian typologies: Mary as goddess (at the level of reception and transformation of ancient archetypes), mediator of the Word of God, the New Eve, a virginal asexual androgynous being, and a projection screen for ideas about female roles. The text traces how these interpretations shaped the theological and anthropological understanding of femininity and how they were reflected in normative models of female identity. It reflects on the Marian ideal today as an ambivalent model and a point of tension between womanhood elevated to the sphere of the sacred and, simultaneously, its confinement and fixation within theological tradition.
Petr Beneš
She in the Cogs of Social Expectations
Notes on Baruška by Božena Němcová
Baruška is one of the first published short stories by Božena Němcová, appearing in 1853. The author analyzes the story from the perspective of the construction of gender stereotypes, particularly the social status of young women. He demonstrates that despite its schematic nature, unoriginal motifs, and didacticism, Němcová never simplifies the serious problems of the women of her time, presenting them clearly, urgently, and comprehensibly. Beneš highlights her emphasis on the danger of internalizing unjust external norms and values and applying them to oneself in the belief that one desires them. Christianity may – consciously or unconsciously – support this problematic model through the stereotypical emphasis on the woman as mother and saint.
Ráchel Bícová
The Body Under Observation
The Spiritualization of the Sexualized Female Body
This article explores the spiritualization of the sexualized female body in Christian environment and its impact on both women and men. It shows how a woman’s value is reduced to “chastity“ and how responsibility for male sexuality is shifted onto women. This pressure leads to the internalization of shame, feelings of guilt, anxiety, and issues with intimacy. These mechanisms operate from puberty through gender stereotypes to unequal relationships, also harming men who adopt a distorted conception of sexuality and responsibility. The author offers theological and therapeutic alternatives emphasizing the body as a gift from God, gender equality, and mutual responsibility, seeing the path to healing in an open, respectful dialogue about corporeality and sexuality.
Survey
The theme of this issue is further illustrated by the personal testimonies of eight women of various generations, life stages, and professions. They describe the role their identity as women plays in their lives, how they understand the essence of womanhood, and how they deal with gender stereotypes. These testimonies repeatedly highlight experiences of physical vulnerability and threat, the significance of a sense of solidarity with other women, and the importance of personal freedom – not only in relation to “traditionally“ defined gender roles.
The body as a symbol, drawing with scissors, and the plastic age
Interview with Dorota Sadovská
Our theme is complemented and embodied throughout this issue by the contrasting delicate cut-outs, paintings, and unconventional performances and installations of the Slovak artist Dorota Sadovská. In her work, she does not limit herself to depicting the body and physicality, but uses them to raise many questions concerning contemporary spirituality, interpersonal relationships, sensitivity to the environment, and the relationship between the individual and society. She also comments on the vulnerability and loneliness brought about by the world of technology and rapidly developing new technologies. Her works surprise with their humorous perspective and playfulness. The interview was led by Norbert Schmidt.