Publication Date
7-23-2025
Keywords
Catholicism, Scripture, Contraception, Women in Ministry, Feminist Theology
Abstract
As membership in the Catholic Church continues to decline in the United States, there are less parishioners or those interested in religious life. Two contributing reasons for this include the Church’s stance on the use of contraception and the role of women within ministry. Explored here is a brief survey of these issues based on Scripture, papal documents, feminist theology, and the perspective of clergy and lay persons. These two topics are of particular interest as the United States grapples with women’s rights over their bodies and wrestle with women’s place within the Church. While the Church has taken an official stance on both issues, there was, and continues to be, differing views among the faithful. Is it time for the Church to reconsider its perspective and should women’s voices be given more credence? Using this paper as a starting point, Catholics can begin to engage in discussions on the future of the Church and the vision that God ultimately has for us.
Recommended Citation
Montgomery, Amber
(2025)
"Discord from Within: Challenges Facing Catholicism in the United States and the Road Ahead,"
Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies: Vol. 8:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.15365/sst.2025.4938
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/saysomethingtheological/vol8/iss1/5
DOI
10.15365/sst.2025.4938
Included in
Catholic Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons