The Vatican's Women: Female Influence at the Holy See

by Paul Hofmann

Four hundred of the 3,800 people who permanently live or work in the State of Vatican City, the smallest sovereign and independent state on the globe, are women. They are nuns and members of the laity; some are housekeepers of churchmen; others are secretaries, translators, editors, lawyers, and middle-level officials of the papal administration.

Expansive in scope and enlightening in detail, The Vatican's Women recalls women who wielded power in the Vatican, including St. Catherine of Siena, Queen Christina of Sweden, Mother Pascalina (Pope Pius XII's longtime housekeeper and confidante), and Mother Teresa. With an unflinching eye, Paul Hofmann examines the papacy's reaction to Catholic women's (and nuns') liberation, and women's struggles, especially today, to fortify their positions within the Church. The Vatican's Women is a thorough and revealing exploration that will herald a new level of insight and dialogue amongst feminists, theologians, and laypeople alike.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Paul Hofmann was an author, journalist, linguist, and political activist. The New York Times, for whom he was a foreign correspondent, described him as fluent in German, Italian, French, and English, having a command of several other languages that was more than passable, as well as "a broad grasp of history and diplomatic affairs and an often playful curiosity."

Reviews

[Monica Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this one. This guy gives a very interesting account of what it is like to be a woman and live/work at the Vatican.

It was well worth the time spent reading...and I'm not even Catholic.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting history, but too much detail about the male clergy and not enough about the women. Written for those with a good grasp of Catholic polity.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had hoped for stories of women who actually have had some influence on the Vatican. This names approximately 4 in 6 centuries who have had actual influence. Most of this is anecdotal stories of women and nuns who are connected or employed in service to the Holy See or as household staff which tells more about the women in the Catholic Church than anything else. Too many gossiping stories about the clergy than actual stories of women

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a student of women in hisory this was a interesting read of the women in the Vatican. It did offer some interesting information on women in a strong male dominated society.

[Sharon White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sept 2012