Women in Catholicism or the eternal absence

Authors

  • Carmen Castilla-Vázquez Universidad de Granada
  • Jessica Savage-Hanford University of Cambridge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/rdh.29.2016.17221

Keywords:

Catholicism, Gender, Brotherhoods, Religious Pilgrimages, Andalusia

Abstract

Based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out in the provinces of Huelva and Seville (Spain), this article reflects on the current situation, participation and aspirations of Andalusian women in Catholicism. Female activity in the religious sphere is shown to often manifest as an extension of domestic tasks and, as such, is seen as less visible and often less valued. The activities carried out by men, however, are more perceptible in that they are enacted in public, a space traditionally reserved for men. The article also considers Andalusia´s most important voluntary associations -the Brotherhoods- and the rituals most relevant to them. As such, the processions, religious pilgrimages, visits to sanctuaries as well as the system of asking for religious favours are analysed. The outcome of such analysis is that, despite the importance of both the presence and participation of women in religious rites, the predominant role in such activities remains largely male.

 

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Author Biographies

Carmen Castilla-Vázquez, Universidad de Granada

Doctora en Antropología Social por la Universidad de Sevilla y Profesora de Antropología en la Universidad de Granada. Sus principales intereses de investigación son la religiosidad popular, los nuevos movimientos religiosos, la inmigración y el flamenco. Es miembro del grupo de investigación Antropología y Filosofía (SEJ 126).

Jessica Savage-Hanford, University of Cambridge

Jessica Savage-Hanford has a BA Hons in English Literature from the University of Cambridge and a M.Sc. in Social Anthropology from University College London, where her thesis focused on the idea of “expectation” amongst Catholic and Anglican congregants in two London-based churches.

References

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Published

2016-09-01

How to Cite

Castilla-Vázquez, C., & Savage-Hanford, J. (2016). Women in Catholicism or the eternal absence. Revista De Humanidades, (29), 153–167. https://doi.org/10.5944/rdh.29.2016.17221

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