Feminisms, Gender, and Theologies Section

2027 Call for Papers

Victoria Basug Slabinski, University of Virginia (VA)

nky3ht@virginia.edu

David von Schlichten, Seton Hill University (PA)

vonschlichten@setonhill.edu

The Feminisms, Gender, and Theology section of the College Theology Society cordially invites proposals in light of the 2027 convention theme—“Mary, Seat of Wisdom: Refuge and Rabble-Rouser.” This theme invites us to consider the person of Mary, practices of devotion to Mary, and theologies of Mary critically and constructively through the lens of gender and sexuality.

For instance, over the past few decades, feminist theologians have debated the possibilities and limitations of Mariology for feminist projects. Queer feminist theologian Marcella Althaus-Reid has critiqued Mariology and Marian devotion as practices that stand in the way of liberation from heteropatriarchy, whereas other feminist theologians such as Rosemary Radford Ruether have centered Mary’s Magnificat as a way of constructing an alternative, liberationist Mariology. How might feminist and queer theologians navigate these debates today? Are such debates still useful to engage, and might new insights arise from them in the present? If not, what other questions surrounding Mary might we shift our attention toward instead?

Other suggested topics include but are not limited to:

• images of Mary or approaches to Mary within ecofeminist, postcolonial feminist, queer, womanist, and/or mujerista theologies
• the uses and representation of Mary in white Catholic reactionary/traditionalist circles: how do such representations shape cultural understandings of gender/femininity, and how do (or might) feminist theologians respond?
• feminist interpretations of and/or responses to the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, the bodily assumption of Mary, or other official teachings of the Catholic Church related to Mary
• feminist analyses of Marian apparitions, non-canonical stories about Mary’s life, popular Mariology, and/or traditions of Marian art (such as images of Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Black Madonna)

Please e-mail your 250-500 word proposal to BOTH vonschlichten@setonhill.edu AND nky3ht@virginia.eduby December 15, 2026. In your proposal, please include the title of your project, your name, institutional affiliation and position (though independent researchers are welcome), your current CTS membership status, and any audio/visual needs. Feel welcome to contact David von Schlichten and Victoria Basug Slabinski at the above addresses with any questions or concerns. Scholars will be notified of the status of their proposal by January 15, 2027.