Joshua House, BA Theology & Religious Studies

Priests, Manliness and Homophobia: How the Catholic Church has fostered a unique ideal of masculinity for Priests and what this means for homosexuality

Utilising Connell’s theory of ‘Multiple Masculinities’, I explore how the Church has
fostered and incubated a unique form of hegemonic masculinity that both subverts
and reinforces the hegemonic masculinity of the ‘Western Gender Order’. Looking at
the dissemination of Canon Law and letters to clergy from the Pope and Church
leaders in the Vatican, I describe and analyse how Priests are expected to conform to
a certain ideal of masculinity. Through this I conclude how this ideal of masculinity,
whilst subverting a number of ideals regarding masculinity, also uphold a number of
patriarchal practices and I note how these are unlikely to be challenged successfully
given its deep rooted and pervasive nature. What is interesting about my work is the
way that it explores the relationship between patriarchal norms, heteronormativity
and homophobia. Showing how even when subverting the Western Gender Order’s view
of masculinity it upholds those very same ideals, of a dominant position over women
and particularly heterosexuality. Focussing on this aspect - the dichotomy between
subversion and reinforcement of traditional ideas about Priestly masculinity in the
Church - I note how deeply allied it is to heteronormativity and the implications this
upon challenging the Church’s stance on homosexuality.