Feminism and Liturgical Practices

Will Reaction Against Feminism
Affect Liturgical Practices?

By JOANNA BOGLE

LONDON — Britain has, rather belatedly, awakened to some of the problems a strong feminist ideology has produced in schools and in educational policies.

A new report, just published, says that boys are falling seriously behind girls in examination results and in employment prospects. The absence of authentic male role models in schools is noted — most teachers of small children are female — along with the problem of “classroom culture” which is not comfortable for boys and makes them feel excluded and unappreciated.

Although feminists will denounce the report, it makes some crucial points and has struck a chord with some people. During one BBC Radio phone-in program, few dissented from the report's findings and many men set forth the problems they encounter when trying to speak up for their sex.

While this might alter the tone of the debate in Britain, which has been dominated by feminism for too long, it is worth asking what effect, if any, it might have on the Church. In Catholic circles, a feminization of Church culture, and especially of the liturgy, has been in place for the past two decades. Many boys and young men not only feel excluded from worship, but they consequently make themselves absent.

The “touchy-feely” approach to religion is one which is repellent to the average boy. He cannot sing high-pitched hymns to a guitar, and he is embarrassed by the sentimental slogans and silly phrases.

Church services have always had the potential to seem somewhat “girlish” — they include flowers, candles, clean white linen, beautiful embroidered satin, and a sense of hushed importance. But boys knew that they could claim liturgy as their own. It was a man’s world, as it included formality, ritual, dignity, and a sense of ordered purpose in which male strength was used in God's service.

The altar boy stood at the altar steps as a page to a knight-errant when the priest began the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Generations of boys mastered Latin, learned ritual as part of a team, and enjoyed the sense of solidarity that was part of being an altar server. If it meant early mornings and sometimes long Sunday sessions, it also meant a joyful understanding of great spiritual beauty, and the fun of belonging to a team that worked hard and prayed hard — and might also have enjoyed football, treats, and laughter together, too.

Now the feminist approach has taken over. Girls have invaded the sanctuary — and the boys, unsurprisingly, have hurried away. Girls always tended to shine on occasions such as First Communion and Confirmation, when their white dresses and veils and finery eclipsed the boys’ neat attire. Now, they claim each Sunday as their own. Serving Mass has become a “girlish” thing to do, The sense of teamwork is gone. The boy*s have departed. The biggest single group absent from our churches is the teen and preteen boys.

The liturgy has been feminized, not only with much illicit feminist language, but also with females taking over every task they possibly can at the altar. Sometimes the priest is sitting down and taking what appears to be a very minimal role.

It's time to challenge all this. Boys need to know that Christ ordained only men, and that He knew what He was doing. He calls men today to the priesthood — and He also needs Christian men and boys at every stage of their lives, pouring out their energy in love and service. The Church needs to speak to boy*s and to young men, calling them in ways that will appeal to their manliness and to their need to know that life can be a joyful adventure with Heaven as a goal.

We need to obey seriously and faithfully the Pope's call for adherence to male service at the altar. We need to abandon silly modern hymns aimed at high female voices and return to Gregorian chant and sturdy hymns suitable for everyone to sing. We need priests to assert confidence in their role and to speak as men who know who and what they are.

Catholic women can help by speaking up about these matters, saying things that it is sometimes hard for men to say. They should explain why their sons feel bored and alienated at Mass, and why religion seems silly and feminine. They should encourage good priests to affirm the truth and nobility of the priesthood. They should point to the strength of the Promise Keepers, and to the validity of much of their message.

The feminists day is over.

“The Wanderer” – March 19, 1998 (A Catholic Weekly -- Subscriptions: 612-224-5733)

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