Women Priests, Symbolic Violence, and Symbolic Resistance

This book explores, from a feminist sociological viewpoint, the ways gender is constructed in the priesthood in the Church of England, and the political, emotional, and spiritual resources generated by women priests in their resistance praxis against a discriminating structure. Despite the increasing numbers of women being ordained, the Church continues to structurally support and legitimise the view that the priesthood should be exclusively male, and women priests still experience gender discrimination and/or differentiation. Drawing on Bourdieu’s notion of symbolic violence, the book aims to fill a gap in the research literature by showing how women priests do not necessarily misrecognise or collude in their domination but engage in hidden resistances and subversions. Based on empirical research, the study reveals that whilst there are barriers to protesting and complaining in conventional ways, there are also significant resistances in how women priests perform their role. The themes addressed are relevant for sociologists of religion and scholars of gender and women’s studies, as well as those with an interest in theology and Christian ministry.

Sharon Jagger is Associate Professor in Religion at York St. John University, UK.