A woman of distinction: St. Ellen Leonard

Catholic New Times, April 10, 2005 by Sheila M. Dabu

A striking portrait hangs in the dining room of a community house of the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) in Toronto but it's undoubtedly a conversation piece. Unlike the standard rendition of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, "The Last Supper," the painting presents a revisionist picture: women and children share in the Eucharistic banquet alongside male disciples.

Sister Ellen Leonard smiles warmly, her silver CSJ necklace glistening in the sun on this first day of spring.

On May 31st, 2005, Leonard will be one of eight recipients of the YWCA's Women of Distinction award at the Metro Convention Centre for her work advocating women's equality in the church and academia. The 25th annual WOD fundraiser (www.ywca.toronto.org) supports the YWCA Toronto's programs.

A former student and a recipient of the award, Brigid O'Reilly, nominated Leonard.

"She has opened new doors to women in ministry, in theological scholarship and in coming to an understanding of God through the lenses of feminism," says O'Reilly.

Leonard, a noted feminist theologian in North America, is professor emerita of theology at the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology. Even though she's retired, Leonard is still teaching courses, mentoring students and writing in academic journals.

Born and raised in North Toronto, Leonard has been a Sister of St. Joseph since 1952. At 18, she entered the convent, taking the religious name Sister Loyola. She attended teacher's college and won an award for the highest academic achievement.

Vatican II encouraged religious sisters to re-discover their early history and biblical roots, she said.

She then returned to her baptismal name, Ellen. Emulating the lifestyle of the first Sisters of St. Joseph in 17th century France, Leonard and her sisters exchanged their habit and veil for "ordinary clothing" and moved from the motherhouse to a small community. After being a teacher and principal, she pursued graduate studies in theology and became one of the first women hired to teach theology in Canada.

Leonard says that feminist theology isn't part of the mainstream yet but educators should integrate a feminist perspective in their courses. Feminism became a means of critiquing tradition, retrieving the stories of women and reconstructing theology to be inclusive, said Leonard. Feminist theology led to a greater understanding of women's historical role in the church and more inclusive language related to God.

Leonard says that feminist courses like the ones she taught "highlighted the significance of women's stories, which have been either completely ignored or distorted." She cites the story of Mary Magdalene.

The Gospel of Mary is part of the Gnostic or apocryphal gospels which have been sources of vigorous debate, especially with the popularity of the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code. These non-canonical (not considered "authoritative and inspired Scriptures") texts are used in scholarship but not in liturgy.

Revisionist scholars support the novel's challenge to the longstanding caricature of Mary Magdalene as the "repentant whore." According to Leonard, this was a way of marginalizing her role as a leader-of the early church and as the "apostle to the apostles."

Leonard was a founding member of the Catholic Network for Women's Equality (formerly the Canadian Catholics for Women's Ordination). CNWE calls for inclusiveness in the daily life of the church such as in public prayer and decision-making, and in the utilization of women's gifts.

"The shortage of priests is a pastoral concern and the fact that only male celibates priests are chosen for ordination limits the available people," says Leonard.

"Many people see the need for widening the scope and for ordaining people who are leaders in their community. We have become used to women in ministry in our church as well as other denominations. We actually have experienced the priestly ministry of women."

Leonard has been described as advocating "compassionate and challenging views." On same-sex marriage, she says that it's an issue that requires reflection.

"I think it's an important issue in terms of the rights of people who are gay or lesbian. Whether it should be called marriage or not is another question. A committed relationship has a sacramental dimension."

Her passion for social justice, she says, was sparked by the sisters who taught her and by her faith.

"I see Jesus as a person who called forth women and men. The early church was a discipleship of equals."

Sheila M. Dabu is a Toronto-based freelance writer.