“Some of the more extreme expressions of feminism have harmed both women and men,” Bishop Doran says

The Catholic Bishop of Elphin, Dr. Kevin Doran has questioned whether “toxic masculinity” is related to “aggressive feminism” when he called for “gentleness” between the sexes.

In his Sunday sermon, the Sligo-based prelate suggested that “some of the more extreme expressions of feminism have harmed both women and men”.

Toxic masculinity, said Dr. Doran, means that qualities traditionally associated with masculinity, “good things like strength, courage, and honor, can sometimes be so distorted and exaggerated that young men feel it’s okay to be violent and rude and treating women with disrespect.”

“Alcohol and pornography add fuel to the fire, of course,” he commented.

When asked what caused toxic masculinity, he said, “I may be wrong, but I wonder if ‘toxic masculinity’ could be related in any way to aggressive feminism like two sides of the same coin.”

The 69-year-old is known for his conservative views and his outspoken opposition to contraception and abortion. After the repeal of the eighth constitutional amendment in 2018, he called on Catholics who voted “yes” in the referendum to confess.

In his sermon on Sunday, Dr. Doran that aggressive feminism sees men as the “opposition” and that “paradoxically, many women feel that the only way to achieve equality is to be more like men. It has become politically incorrect to talk about the unique contribution of women as mothers,” he said.

Calling for “tenderness” in all human relationships, the Bishop of Elphin admitted that it was only right that women’s equality be recognized and that women should be more present and visible in public spaces. He said this is an issue that has come up in the synodal discussions that have been taking place in parishes around the world in recent months.

“If you go back even a generation, but certainly two, the role of women in Western society was very limited. Women’s intelligence and creative gifts were not recognized. Their participation in decision-making was limited to the home. The church must take its share of the responsibility for this,” he admitted.

While “a lot has changed and undoubtedly more needs to change,” he said the fact that we are all the same doesn’t mean that men and women are all the same.

“In a changing environment, it is perhaps not surprising that men are questioning what it means to be masculine and how they can freely express and even celebrate their masculinity.”

The aim is to change structures, not to undermine or destroy people, emphasized the bishop and warned that it can never be about replacing one form of injustice with another.

“It doesn’t really matter if all we can do is pull one crowd down and put another crowd on the podium in their place,” he said.

He called for a rediscovery of gentleness and humility in the face of aggression, saying these are the values ​​people need to pass on to their daughters and sons.