| 1 |
Introduction: Overview of the Book |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter introduces the main arguments, methodology, and theoretical foundation of the book, together with an overview of the social background, research gap, and contribution to the literature. The book is a critical investigation of what has been called “gender ideology” (GI) in the Catholic Church as a moral panic, and of its alleged serious threats to humanity, family, children’s welfare, and human dignity. Both Pope Francis’s synodality and inductive synodal theology, and sociological perspectives on gender, gender theory, gender diversity, and LGBTQI inclusivity are explored. The chapter outlines the major areas of conflict between the proponents of GI, led by Catholic bishops and moral theologians, and advocates of gender diversity, led by pro-gender sociologists, feminists, activists, and LGBTQI leaders, seeking to find common ground for synodal dialogue and inculturation.
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| 2 |
Gender and “Gender Ideology” in the Catholic Church: A Synodal-Sociological Exploration |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
In applying the inductive synodal approach and sociological perspectives, this chapter aims to sociologically unpack so-called “gender ideology” in the Catholic Church, distinguishing the fundamental differences between the Church’s philosophical–theological understanding of gender, sexuality, and gender theory and those of sociology and the social sciences. It aims to find common ground to understand gender between the Church’s moral magisterium and the social sciences in an attempt to update the traditional moral approach in spirit of Pope Francis’s synodality and inductive theology. It argues that the synodal-sociological approach offers new hope for the Church to achieve a more empirical, inculturated, and nuanced view of gender and sexuality in the contemporary world, despite Francis’s strong opposition to “gender ideology.”
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| 3 |
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff in the Catholic Church’s “Gender Ideology”: A Sociological-Synod |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
Applying Pope Francis’s synodal theological approach and sociological arguments, this chapter aims to unpack fact from fiction in the Catholic Church’s concept of “gender ideology.” It specifically clarifies the nature of gender, ideology, gender theory, and feminist gender theory in sociology. It argues that the Catholic Church’s adoption of a strictly philosophical approach to morality is a primary factor in the misconception of the true nature of the sociological and feminist views on gender and gender theory that are present in gender ideology. It recommends a synodal dialogue between Catholic moral theologians and gender sociologists and feminists to reconcile conflicting views and achieve inculturated synodal moral teachings.
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| 4 |
“Gender Ideology’s” Alleged Threat to Humanity: A Critical Sociological-Synodal Analysis |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter sociologically unpacks the Catholic Church’s concept of “gender ideology” and its alleged imminent threat to humanity’s survival in light of Pope Francis’s latest ecclesiastical reform project, the Synod on Synodality, and his inductive synodal theology. It argues that the concept of gender as espoused by sociologists, feminists, LGBTQI leaders, and gender activists does not inflict actual and imminent harm on humanity, but poses a serious epistemological challenge to the Church’s traditional, metaphysical, and philosophical view of sex, gender, and gender complementarity, which is based on the Thomistic natural law theory, resulting in strong moral panic among members of the Catholic hierarchy against sociological and feminist gender perspectives and their labelling of gender theory as “gender ideology.”
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| 5 |
Gender Ideology’s Alleged Danger to the Family in Society: A Synodal-Sociological Appraisal |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter critically examines the alleged threat of the Roman Catholic Church’s concept of “gender ideology” to the family as the basic social unit in society, using sociological perspectives and Pope Francis’s inductive synodal approach. It argues that the Catholic Church has gravely misunderstood gender in the sociological and feminist research literature and that its allegation of a threat to the family is conceptual rather than actual, constituting a moral panic or exaggeration rather than a real danger. It contends that the real cause or “folk devil” is not gender but the epistemological threat posed by the sociological and feminist concept of gender and gender diversity to the natural law moral framework of the Catholic Church. It recommends inculturation and the adoption of a sociological moral framework to dissolve the alleged threat.
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| 6 |
“Gender Ideology’s” Alleged Threats to Children’s Welfare: A Sociological-Synodal Analysis |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter sociologically investigates the Roman Catholic Church’s moral panic on the alleged threats of the so-called “gender ideology” to the welfare of children in same-sex families, using Pope Francis’s synodal approach and drawing on secondary literature, media reports, and Church documents. It argues that the alleged threats of homosexual couples in same-sex families to the children’s welfare are an exaggeration and moral panic in the sociological sense. It contends that negative perception of same-sex parenthood on the children’s welfare is largely a structural influence of societal homophobia and social discrimination against same-sex parents under the rigid gender complementary and heterosexual standards of the Catholic Church’s moral magisterium, founded on the philosophical approach of natural law theory. It recommends a synodal openness to diverse family structures and definitions of children’s welfare and a reappraisal of the empirical foundations of the gender complementarity interpretation of Genesis.
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| 7 |
“Gender Ideology” and the Catholic Morality of Gender-Enhancing Treatment and Sex Change |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter aims to sociologically unpack and clarify the Catholic Church’s concept of “gender ideology” and analyze the morality of gender-enhancing treatment and surgical procedures in light of Pope Francis’s synodal inductive approach. It argues that the traditional philosophical moral approach grounded in natural law theory is inadequate to morally analyze these contemporary sexual issues. It recommends the sociological approach of inquiring into the motives and not just the meaning of these “unnatural” external acts before passing moral judgment, and applying the principle of double effect to understand the morality of transgenderism, gender-enhancing treatment, and transgender sexuality to resolve the moral panic of “gender ideology” in the Catholic Church.
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| 8 |
Human Dignity and Gender Issues in Contemporary Society: A Synodal-Sociological Exploration |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter sociologically explores how the Catholic Church’s teaching on human dignity can be applied in the field of sex and gender in today’s contemporary world in accordance with Pope Francis’s inductive synodal theology and the Vatican’s declaration on human dignity known as . [Infinite Dignity]. It argues that teaching on human dignity is central to the Christian faith for Catholics and must always be observed in resolving moral issues. However, in the spirit of Francis’s inductive theology, the application of this teaching in concrete cases such as the morality of gender-enhancing treatment and sex change requires inductive synodal and sociological assessment to scientifically describe the complex moral situation and motives of actors. The chapter also sociologically re-examines the empirical basis of Genesis on gender complementarity—the root cause of why transgenderism, gender-enhancing treatment, and sex change are generally seen as violative of human dignity.
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| 9 |
Inculturating Gender Diversity and LGBTQI Inclusivity: A Synodal Call for the Catholic Church |
Vivencio O. Ballano |
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Abstract
This chapter sociologically argues that the Catholic Church needs to inculturate or adapt sociological concepts of gender diversity and LGBTQI inclusivity in its moral teachings as a synodal response to the call of postmodern times. It specifically contends that gender diversity has existed in human culture since ancient times but is only today in the public eye due to the growing pro-gender and LGBTQI social movements of the current age. Now is the time for the Catholic Church to update its philosophical natural law moral framework on sex and gender and adopt sociological and social science gender research and perspectives to fully welcome the LGBTQI community into the Church.
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发表于 2025-3-21 16:16:55
