Review ~ Women, Sex and the Church

I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

As a woman, I admit to sometimes wondering how to reconcile the teachings of the Catholic Church with the modern feminist movement.  During my younger years, I was occasionally introduced to ideas such as women priests and how they should be allowed in the Roman Catholic Church.  Several friends saw (or should I say SEE) nothing wrong with ignoring Church teachings on contraception and pre-marital sex.  Some so-called feminists actually point to all these things as ways the Catholic Church oppresses women. That is why I was eager to review Women, Sex and the Church

About Women, Sex and the Church

Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching

For anyone grappling with thoughts such as those, there is now a resource that tackles these kinds of subjects head on. Plus, it is written in language that most laity can understand.  Women, Sex and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching is a compilation of essays.

Erica Bachiochi is the editor and author of a few chapters. In her introduction, she also argues that her previous status as a feminist who viewed the Church as almost evil should lend even more credibility to the work. After all, it is far more convincing for some to hear from someone who ‘saw the light’ than it is coming from someone who never thought otherwise.

Topics Covered in Women, Sex and the Church

This title is broken into 2 larger categories:  (1) love, sex and reproduction and (2) the church, home, and the world.  Within each area, the role of women in the church is discussed.

When covering love, sex, and reproduction, the book has chapters on Church teaching on abortion, premarital sex, marriage, contraception and fertility treatment. Under the category of women in the church, the home and the world, you can read about Church teachings on the priesthood, vocations in public and private, and the ‘kinship between Catholic Sexual and Social Teaching.’

My Thoughts on Women, Sex and the Church

I’d say this book is neither a super easy OR super hard read.  In other words, you need your brain engaged to fully register all that is written on each topic.  However, it is written in such a way that you do not need specialized degrees to understand what is being said.

Actually, as I read through the pages, I was longing for someone to have discussions with on each topic.  Maybe it’s a female trait, but there are times when I really need to verbalize my thoughts and bounce them off others.

That being said, Women, Sex and the Church can be used for a great adult faith formation class.  Add in your Bible,  The Catechism of the Catholic Church and some encyclicals to flesh out a full class. You can spend years investigating the material.

Additionally, this material is written with everyone in mind, not just the ladies.  The men in our lives can benefit from understanding what the Church teaches on these subjects as well.

Like I said, this book covers so much in a mere 192 pages. You can easily spend a fair bit of time digesting all the information presented.  One quick pass through the pages is NOT enough time for me.

You can purchase Women, Sex and the Church from The Catholic Company for $19.95. Or find it on Amazon.

Disclaimer ~ I was provided with a copy of the book, Women, Sex and the Church through The Catholic Company blogger program.  No other compensation was given and the views expressed in this post are my own.