The catholic church, recatholicization and gender hierarchy
The catholic church, recatholicization and gender hierarchy

Summary/Abstract: Contemporary processes of social restructuring (particularly in the postsocialist societies) show the tendency of simultaneous revitalization of church activities and of repatriarchalization. Regarding the modern aims of recatholicization the recognizing of the special role of the Catholic Church concerning gender relationships is undoubtedly justified. The author discusses the basic Christian and Catholic explanations of special gendered personal identity included in the postcouncilian official documents. She reveals the symbolic construction of women's marginal and subordinate status . Particular attention is devoted to women's marginal and subordinate status . Particular attention is devoted to women's dignity. The author's analysis of the `Apostolic Letter on the Dignity of Woman" (Mulieris Dignitatem, 1988) by Pope John Paul II provides a basis for revealing the continuity of interpretations regarding the `proper' role of women in this contemporary document and those traditional explanations which have contributed to the petrification of androcentric culture. Finally, the author discusses the results of the latest empirical investigations into gendered secularization in contemporary Slovenian society.

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