Mary in the Christian Tradition: From a Contemporary Perspective / Kathleen Coyle

“This presentation of an alternative image of Mary challenges our traditional Marian devotion and enables us to anchor that devotion on a firm theological basis. This is a valuable resource for those who seek a contemporary understanding of Mary.” Virginia Fabella MM

Here is a portrait of Mary as a woman, strong and resourceful, who proclaimed God’s compassion for the poor and oppressed of her day. Traditional images have often portrayed Mary as silent and submissive. Her convictions firmly rooted in current scholarship, Sr Kathleen Coyle presents Mary as a model of discipleship – a strong, active and resilient woman of faith – who continues to hold great importance for Catholics seeking to express their faith today.

In sketching the evolution of the Marian dogmas, Sr Kathleen stresses that their reinterpretation unfolds new meaning which will enrich the faith life of the church. The author offers a survey how the church has approached through of Mary through the centuries; from the days of the dawning of the New Testament to the Church Fathers, through the Middle Ages and the French School of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, culminating in the important developments of Vatican II and later documents.

As she scratches for and develops a Marian theology more in tune with today’s issues and attitudes, the author critiques Marian symbols and traditional images. She calls for a new theology that restores to our understanding of God the divine prerogatives borne by the image of Mary through the ages. With a new theology of the Trinity, the church can retrieve Mary as a woman of faith, a model disciple, proclaiming a song of liberation for the poor and oppressed of our world today.

Kathleen Coyle is a missionary who has worked in Asia for over 25 years. As well as teaching in Manila and Karachi, she has lectured and given courses in Korea, Guam, Malaysia, and Papua in New Guinea.