Mariology, maternal philosophy and empowered mothering

This chapter is an attempt to reconcile my relationship with Mary as a feminist theologian. It turns to maternal philosophy to critique the ideology of motherhood as traditionally presented through Mary as Mother of God and ecclesiatype. It seeks to critique the eternal maternal image and its associated myths such as the ‘good mother’ and intensive mothering, promoted through Mary. I will show its connection to the promotion of patriarchal motherhood, male misogyny, gender inequality, and ask what experiences of real mothers are missing in Mary’s maternal narrative. This chapter seeks to present a counter framework to patriarchal mothering, which is empowered mothering, and use its principles to expand Mariology. In turn, I intend to reimagine Mary as a mother and ultimately reconcile my relationship with her as a woman of faith, a migrant settler mother, a motherless mother, and a feminist academic.