1. Belittled Yet Beloved: The Influence of Mary Magdalene's Story in Catholic LGBQ Identity
- Author
-
Hynfield, Lillian
- Subjects
- Theology, Mary Magdalene, LGBTQ+, Queer Theology, Dual Identity, Patron Saints
- Abstract
This thesis argues that Mary Magdalene is a perfect unofficial patron saint for theCatholic LGBQ community due to similarities in experienced and assumed identity.People who actively identify as both Catholic and LGBQ experience a tension betweenthese two identities, particularly in light of such Church teachings as the USCCBdocument Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination. Neither identity can easilybe set aside in favor of the other without causing harm to the person’s mental andspiritual health, and so the person’s sense of self is torn between these two innate andunchosen identities. Mary Magdalene’s identity, on the other hand, was split by herdevotional cults after her death into the blessed and beloved apostle to the apostles, andrepentant sexual sinner. Given that the LGBQ Catholic experiences a dual identitybetween beloved child of God as a Catholic, and an imposed identity of assumed sexualsin as a queer person, the natural conclusion is for the LGBQ Catholic to find a devotion to Mary Magdalene and seek her intercession on their behalf as they navigate theiridentity, affirming both love of God and love of self.
- Published
- 2022