Religion and Spirituality
Altruism and Sacrifice: Anglican Priests Managing ‘Intensive’ Priesthood and Motherhood
Motherhood and Priesthood are two roles that carry with them particular expectations
and demands; both are premised on the notion of altruism and sacrifice, constant
availability, and putting the needs of others before one’s own. This has also been
gendered; sacrifice and altruism have traditionally been connected with women. This
article will examine what happens when clergy mothers simultaneously enact the
roles of priesthood and motherhood, and how this is managed in the context of
‘intensive’ motherhood and priesthood. Based on in-depth semi-structured interviews
with 17 clergy mothers in the Anglican Church, it will highlight the contradictions,
negotiations and interweaving which occurs for both roles to be concurrently
enacted, offering a contextual insight into the management of motherhood vis-à-vis
professional life.
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