Bravo to the NCR editorial staff for its timely and astute offering “Is the Church really ‘taking a step back in time?” (ncronline.org, I, too, was chagrined at the ominous spin of the AP article which conforms to mainstream media’s penchant for suggesting “the sky is falling” on all things progressive, even, as you suggest, when the evidence can be highly suspect. As such, your piece acknowledged that while retrograde forces do certainly exist in certain quarters of American Catholicism — largely due to “nostalgia” for some mythic halcyon past, today’s faithful truly represent a multi-colored people resisting simple classification or bent.
Whatever the headwinds — and they are many, countless believers today are forging an emergent vibrant faith less shackled by age-old clericalism, misogyny and racism. Without always articulating it, we also resist the drift towards some monolithic state religion: a captured faith undergirding a larger autocratic enterprise playing out in the political and judicial sphere.
In addition, Butker seems to have his cake and eat it. He stresses the importance of staying in one’s lane yet later states what he thinks will excite a majority of women the most – raising a family. Had I given this address, I would have referenced the words of St. Francis de Sales who famously said to “be who you are and be that well”. This involves learning more about oneself, acknowledging one’s ambitions and talents, and acting on them ad maiorem Dei gloriam.
Butker gets one thing right — society is changing. To this end, we too as men should spend more time with our kids or future kids whenever possible, cook meals, clean, and do laundry — skills that are often associated with “homemakers”. Some of these activities may be therapeutic, but they are essential life skills. Choosing to help our future spouse or partner with homemaking reflects Christ’s example of serving others before self. In contributing at home — while balancing careers — we too can promote a sense of equality, respect and dignity. This goes beyond a preconceived notion of masculinity.
Butker should know that my father married a woman who is a dedicated pathologist and was initially Hindu. Even before her conversion, she made my dad, my siblings, and myself better versions of ourselves.
