"On the sex of
souls and on the image of God in the souls of women we have . . . alluded to
some [important] discussions anterior to the second Council of Mâcon [held in
585]. We sought only to indicate trajectories
of research, cite some recent studies, and, at the same time, suggest a larger
context for the polemics to which so many have devoted themselves [(on s'est livre)]
not unwillingly, [and] in the 19th century above all, although the arrows
flew low: 'perfidious falsification', 'blunder', 'enormity', 'Voltairean jokes', 'ridiculous objection', 'ludicrous tradition', 'scholars
of contraband [(savants de contraband)]'.
On the precise terrain on which they fought, the Catholic apologists
were right. [It is] a matter of fact that
there has not existed, in the history of Christianity, a legend as unfounded
and [yet] tenacious [(aussi tenace et aussi mal fondée)] as that of the Council
of Mâcon, with the possible exception of that—a legend not unlike it in
character—of the She-Pope Joan.
"And yet, the
refutations, perfectly justified in themselves, were accompanied by
triumphalist declarations that have not contributed to a decontamination of the
atmosphere. . . .
"We would prefer,
rather, to hear from [the likes of] the distinguished Jesuit Max Pribilla, who
noted in a [far] humbler tone [that] 'Over the centuries there certainly have also
been Catholic theologians who said [(ont soutenu)] very stupid and unworthy [things]
on the subject of women. . . .' (Although
[Pribilla] did add, in effect, [that] one cannot, all the same, impute to them
a debate over the existence in them of a soul!)"
Émilien
Lamirande, "De l'âme des femmes: autour
d'un faux anniversaire," Science et esprit 37, no. 3 (1985): 350-351 (335-352). It's pretty easy to find solid information in English on the Council of Mâcon. See, for example, Michael Nolan: First things, New Blackfriars, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment