Mystics and politics: women and the interpretation of the Scriptures

In cultures based on foundational or sacred texts, the contrast between different interpretative styles is the crux of important political questions: who has the right to interpret the sacred texts, and therefore to exert authority over the community? Which Senders have the right to sanction interpretations? In Roman Catholic culture, two main interpretative styles can be identified. The first is the intellectual and rational approach that most characterizes theological discourse, the Magisterium and canon law; the other is the experiential and mysterious approach characterizing mystical discourse, which is scrupulously – and sometimes severely – evaluated by the ecclesiastical authorities, especially in the case of women interpreters. In this paper, I look into one facet of the clash between these two interpretative styles. I first present some reflections about the relationship between holy characters and political engagement, pointing out how and why mystics are endowed with a particular authority and leadership in their communities; I then focus on the mystical interpretative style and related enunciative strategies, showing how the authority of the woman interpreter is built through a stratification of the authorial subjectivity, with particular reference to the case of Maria Valtorta.