Women and the Vatican

Ivy A. Helman

The roles and social status of women have changed dramatically in the Western world from the late 19th century to the present. How do the historic and contemporary documents of the Catholic Church reflect on these changes? Helman first examines world events from the 1880s to the present, including the growth of feminism and other social movements, then explores fourteen Vatican documents that address the role of women and includes the relevant sections of each. The documents include Gaudium et spes, Pacem in terris, the Address of Pope Paul VI to Women, Humanae vitae, Persona humana, Inter insigniores, Familiaris consortio, Mulierus dignitatem, Women Bear an Effective Witness to Faith, Ordinatio sacerdotales, Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, Evangelium vitae, On the Collaboration of Men and Women, Deus caritas est, and Intervention by The Holy See at the 61st General Assembly of the UN on Women. 

“A unique resource of unprecedented comprehensiveness. [Helman’s] evaluative comments are restrained and judicious, furnishing a stimulating point of departure for discussion.  This book belongs on the shelf of every Catholic feminist theologian, Catholic moral theologian, 
Catholic social ethicist, ecclesiologist, liberation theologian, sacramental theologian, pastoral minister, and religious educator; as well as all who work in Catholic spiritual direction, formation or higher education.” 
—Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College 

“Anyone interested in understanding accurately ‘what the Vatican says about women will find this a most useful book.”—Terrence W. Tilley, Fordham University