Soline Humbert: “Optional memorial: Saint Maria Goretti, stabbed to death in defence of her virtue”.

I winced when I read these words on the ACP liturgical resource for the 6th of July. 

What “virtue” exactly are we talking about?

How is it possible to still describe an 11 year-old girl being killed by the man intent on raping her as “defending her virtue”? 

Are we still prisoners of this distorted, abusive patriarchal mindset which has nothing to do with the Gospel? 

What dangerous message are we sending to girls, women, and to all victims and  survivors of sexual abuse and rape, including children? 

So I was glad to read today this article raising the same questions in which three German theologians question (again!) the myth of Saint Maria Goretti as a “martyr of purity” and conclude that such categories are no longer tenable.

 In their words:

 “Conclusion: How to approach saints like Maria Goretti and their interpretations?

The experiences of victims demonstrate that normative narratives about girls and women who would rather die than suffer sexual assault intensify feelings of guilt, deepen shame, and can leave the impression of having failed simply for surviving the violence.

Our intervention seeks to raise awareness about the impact of rape myths and the complex issues surrounding “martyrs of purity.”

We believe this category is no longer tenable, especially given the thousands of women and girls who have suffered abuse within the Church.” 

Link to original article : Teólogas alemanas cuestionan el mito de Santa María Goretti como «mártir de la pureza»

English version, if your computer does not auto-translate: https://www.religiondigital.org/opinion/teologas-alemanas-cuestionan-mito-santa_1_1460104.html

Teólogas alemanas cuestionan el mito de Santa María Goretti como «mártir de la pureza»Santa María Goretti es considerada «mártir de la virginidad». Tres teólogas de Ratisbona consideran que este tipo de categorías ya no son sostenibles. Una columna de opinión.
German theologians question the myth of St. Maria Goretti as a “martyr of purity”. St. Maria Goretti is considered a “martyr of virginity“. Three theologians from Regensburg consider that these types of categories are no longer sustainable. An opinion column.

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One Comment

  1. Today we understand rape as a crime of severe violence and force not an issue of sexual morality. The MAXIMUM sentence for rape can be life in prison.

    Reply

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