"The defining of authority versus power, and how power had dwelt primarily within male-dominated cultures/mentalities, is an interesting, educational viewpoint on how power emerged and changed with Mary. Seeing Mary as the one chosen by God to bring forth the Savior is a strong example of this change in authority." Xulon Press Editor. *** "Mary was the new Eve, who put her absolute trust not in the ancient serpent but in God's messenger. The Son whom she brought forth is He whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren (Rom. 8: 29), namely, the faithful." The Role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the Mystery of Christ and the Church, Pope Paul VI, 21 November 1964. *** "The Virgin Mary. The World's Most Powerful Woman," Maureen Orth, Cover Story in National Geographic, December 2015. *** "Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us," Martin Luther, Christmas Homily, 1529. *** " Margaret] Atwood's exploration of how Mariology and, more broadly, religion can be misused to subjugate women has led to accusations that Atwood is anti-religion and that Gilead is a 'demonic misrepresentation of Judeo-Christianity.' But if anything, Atwood does a service by showing how easily Mary's image can be distorted in order to exert control." Eloise Blondieau, "Mary, Offred and the Frightening Lessons of 'The Handmaid's Tale'," www.americamagazine.org 04/28/2017. *** "Indeed, the inclusion of women in the Church is a creative way to promote the necessary changes in it. A theology and an ecclesiology of women should change the image, the concept, and the structures of the Church...Women's creativity can open new ways of being a Christian community of disciples, men and women together, witnesses and preachers of the Good News." Rev. Fr. Arturo Sosa A., SJ, Superior General, Rome, March 8, 2017. Dr. Gonzalo T. Palacios, studied architecture at the Catholic University of America and at the Universidad Central of Venezuela. He studied philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University in Rome where he obtained a Master's degree in Philosophy: he received his Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America. Dr. Palacios taught philosophy and philosophy of religion well over fifty years; he retired in 2015 from Prince George's Community College in Maryland. You may contact him at gpgpalacios@gmail.com.
