Sir, - As part of the current 16day International Campaign Against Violence Against Women we wish to draw attention to the religious dimension in domestic violence.
In her recent book Woman as Church, Sr Claire Murphy SHCJ points out that although theologians have struggled with the issue of violence in relation to war they have been reluctant to name domestic violence for the evil it is. There are weighty reasons why theologians have avoided the subject.
Sr Joan Chittister OSB in her book Winds of Change says that "the inequality of women has been institutionalised by the woman's marriage vow of obedience and used to justify both discrimination and abuse. Wifebeating was specifically allowed by canon law (Power 35) and enshrined in civil law".
These laws were ultimately rescinded by Church and State but the woman's marriage vow of obedience remained until recent times. Religion as inherited by us validated violence against women in the home. We urge both Church and State to find ways of increasing their support for the voluntary bodies which are trying to cope with this massive problem. - Yours, etc.,
From Maureen Brazil, Ann Nolan, and Sophia Christian
Feminist Group, Springfield Ave, Dublin 6W,