The Development of the Catholic Church
The early Christian church, later developing into the Catholic Church, began a slow process of redefining the roles and place of women. Irish mythology was altered by monks to now incorporate the Christian theology (Condren, 1989). Celtic women initially embraced the early Christianity, the idea of a Christ a hero of humans, born of a Holy woman; was a mythological tale they were familiar with. It preached the Gospel of Peace, and for women faced with the warrior mindset, it seemed to solution to the constant fighting and loss of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, daughters, and sons. Celtic women are accredited with spread and establishment of monasteries throughout Ireland (Condren, 1989). However, they would soon be under the control of church which negated or entirely eliminated any positions of female authority.