Progressing to nowhere (CANADA).

London, ON--In late May, "progressive" Catholic women in London, ON, organized a conference of 22 workshops described in mysterious terms as "part event, part journey." One organizer was Sister Margo Ritchie, a member of the leadership team (formerly called the General Council) of the St. Joseph's Sisters of London. Among the invited female speakers was pro-abortion former NDP Ontario Cabinet minister Boyd (London Free Press, May 22).

In July the same newspaper brought an article by two feminists, Theresa Topic and Ursuline nun Sister Patricia McLean. Topic teaches anthropology and McLean teaches Religious Studies at Brescia College and apparently were part of the above-mentioned conference.

The article presents "feminist spirituality" as an independent source of strength for women. No institutional religious affiliation is required, they think. Feminist spirituality borrows from paganism and witchcraft and thus has expanded "the boundaries imposed by institutional religion" (such as Catholicism or Christianity), they say. By so doing, women come to "express ever more clearly their reflection of the sacred."

We would like to disagree. Salvation is found in Jesus and the Church He founded. Once you abandon those, one enters into darkness, not light. Feminism unattached to the Church will lead to superstition and idol worship, just as secular social feminism has become a menace on both the natural and supernatural level of societies everywhere, as for example their assault on the family.