Apr. 20, 2012 at 3:19pm View comments
religionfaithnunswomenjustice
“
The Vatican’s assessment, issued on Wednesday, said that members of the group, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, had challenged church teaching on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood, and promoted “radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.” The sisters were also reprimanded for making public statements that “disagree with or challenge the bishops, who are the church’s authentic teachers of faith and morals.” During the debate over the health care overhaul in 2010, American bishops came out in opposition to the health plan, but dozens of sisters, many of whom belong to the Leadership Conference, signed a statement supporting it — support that provided crucial cover for the Obama administration in the battle over health care.
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Vatican Reprimands U.S. Nuns Group - NYTimes.com

I am so angered by this story… I continue to be shocked at the Catholic Church’s view of women, but most especially the outrageous ways it tries to strip nuns of their voices and make them even less of an equal partner in faith. The idea that a team of bishops will now march in to “reform” this nuns’ group is beyond offensive.

This type of action can only come from power dynamics. It does not reflect the compassion or commitment to social justice that I expect from my faith. And it exemplifies some of the core reasons I left the Church but still count nuns as some of my favorite heros.

Jan. 29, 2012 at 12:34pm with 1 note View comments
travelnuns
[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

Our second day in Paris, and not likely to be topped. We were visiting Notre Dame, which had been converged upon by hundreds of nuns of all orders, backgrounds, and ages. It was a bubbly and happy crowd. I have a soft spot for nuns, so I was already in my people-watching glory being surrounded by them.

As we got closer to the entrance of the cathedral, music began playing… and it only took a couple notes for me to realize it was “Oh Happy Day,” which everyone knows is the favorite song of nuns everywhere (thanks, Sister Act!) and happens to be a DVQ Studio favorite. I looked at my brother and dad and said, “If these nuns break out dancing, I will die happy.”

And oh my sweet baby Jesus — the nuns broke out into a flash mob! My heart pretty much exploded with the power of 100 Hail Marys.

And for the record, if you were ever wondering what a nun’s face looks like after successful completion of flash mob choreography, it is pure joy.