Author who asks what Jesus might do in White House to speak at FSC
Messina will explain the challenges and rewards of the push-pull of her faith during a presentation titled "Faith and Feminism: Resistance and Persistence in the Church" from
"Being Catholic is a very cultural thing for me. My dad came to this country from
The topic of the clash of resistance with persistence rises in part from a question often posed to the 41-year-old Messina: "Why do you stay" in a church with such a patriarchal structure with positions at odds with her own beliefs about LGBTQ issues, marriage equality, women's roles and other issues?
"Feminism is about uprooting discrimination wherever it exists," which Messina said she strives to accomplish as a challenging voice from within rather than a merely critical one as an outside provocateur.
Messina, an assistant professor of religion and gender studies at
Her most recent tome, "Jesus in the
"If Jesus was president," she wonders in the book, "how would his policies measure up against those of the Trump administration?"
Messina also authored the book "Rape Culture and Spiritual Violence" and was co-editor of "Faithfully Feminist" and "Feminism and Religion in the 21st Century."
Awareness of feminist issues arose for Messina when she was 12, she said with a healthy laugh, adding, "I can think that far back."
A presentation from a Catholic abortion-rights activist nurtured her feminist leanings, she said.
That was about the time she sported a T-shirt with the message, "The incredible shrinking women's right to choose," which gave her father, Biagio, a jolt.
Tweaks dad, but he's best friend
"Dad almost had a heart attack because of how strong of a Catholic he is," she said.
Although family members sometimes take issue with her positions, her relationship with her dad is so strong that she proclaims him to be her best friend, and she has dedicated "Jesus in the
"They are the most influential men on me politically," said Messina, whose resume includes speaking before the
"Jesus in the
That release date is especially meaningful for Messina because that also is her father's birthday. Whenever Messina tells Biagio that she aspires to run for elective office, it strikes a chord of resistance in him.
"He's never voted, but he said if I did run for office, he would register to vote against me," Messina said with a hearty laugh about the man she credits with her work ethic, her commitment to serve others and her sense of social justice.
Messina said she became involved with women who are victims of domestic abuse in part because of past -- and, sometimes, still present -- attitudes of some in the church who blame women for the mistreatment instead of challenging the husbands.
"It's as if being in a violent marriage is their cross to bear. That bothered me, and I wanted to learn more about it," Messina said, adding that she herself never experienced a sense of Catholic guilt.
"I never felt that fear or wrath from God, but love, and I wanted to explore that," she said in explaining he choice to obtain a master's degree in theology from
Priest 'patting me on the head'
She recalled that a priest exhibited a condescending attitude toward her during pre-marriage classes.
When she told him she was a domestic abuse counselor, "the priest said something like, 'Isn't that cute,' like patting me on the head," she said.
The priest told her that she should quit the job and instead fulfill the traditional role of bearing children.
"I thought that was harsh," said Messina, who was not able to have children because of fertility issues. "The message was that women have this role just to have children. That is damaging, especially if you can't."
Despite such negative experiences with patriarchy, it is important to work from within and it is OK to question discriminatory practices, said Messina, who is divorced and has an adopted daughter.
Messina, who also is scheduled to speak to
Asked how she feels about
"We're moving forward," she said of the
Messina enlisted the help of comedian
"Satire is such a great way to get to the bottom of things," she said, laughing as she suggested the concept of "Satire vs.
Regarding her book, Messina was asked to assess the suggestions of many politicians -- both Republican and Democratic -- and political observers that
"I was dumbfounded when he was elected, and I am amazed how anybody can support this man, with the things he has done," she responded.
At the same time, she said, administration staffers may be staying with the same motivation that keeps her in the church -- to change from within.
"It also may be for career advancement, and sometimes, it's difficult to leave a job" without a Plan B, she said.
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