The Independent News Source
Twitter - Facebook - Email Alerts - RSS
Mercy Sister Theresa Kane criticizes church hierarchy
Sep. 29, 2009
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
PDF version
Theresa Kane
Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionSpeaking at the 40th anniversary conference of the National Coalition of American Nuns in St. Louis, Mercy Sr. Theresa Kane offered a stinging rebuke to the Vatican for its treatment of women in general and of women religious in particular.
Referring to the Vatican investigation of U.S. women religious initiated last December by Slovenian Cardinal Franc Rodé, who heads the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Kane called it “a sign of impotence in the church hierarchy.”
“Regarding the present interrogation, I think the male hierarchy is truly impotent, incapable of equality, co-responsibility in adult behavior,” she said, not mincing any words. “In the church today, we are experiencing a dictatorial mindset and spiritual violence.”
But she described herself as a hopeful person. “Why do we hope and why do we endure?” she asked. “I have one chance, one life, and therefore I have a responsibility to criticize. Our hope comes from solidarity between women religious and laywomen.”
Kane, widely viewed as an influential voice among women religious, has a place of prominence in the history of U.S. women religious. As president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in 1979, she greeted Pope John Paul II at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. In her address she urged him to open all ministries of church life to women. Her remarks made headlines around the world.
Addressing the conference Sept. 26 at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s motherhouse, she recalled the long struggle of U.S. women religious to gain modest control of their own destinies. She related how women religious leaders in the early 1970s worked to change the name of their organization from the Conference of Major Superiors of Women to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, adding that the Vatican has never come to terms with the idea that women can be “leaders.”
Kane said there is a proper place for anger. “If we do not get angry, we won’t make change,” she said. And change can come, she noted. Years back, she recalled, women were required to cover their heads when in church — “even using tissue paper, if necessary.” After a while women simply stopped the practice and the requirement ended. She called it a “silent revolution.”
In the context of resistance she talked about women’s ordination in the Catholic church today. “The Roman Catholic women priesthood is small, highly criticized, and not going away,” she went on. “No one controls our future but ourselves.”
Kane, as the nation’s most identifiable advocate of women’s ordination, has been repeatedly asked if she fears a Vatican excommunication. Her response: “I’m not out of communion. The institution got out of communion with me.”
The National Coalition of American Nuns, or NCAN as it is commonly referred to, since its inception has been an advocate for change inside and outside the church. It is said to officially represent from 500 to 2,000 U.S. women religious, though its influence among women religious appears wider as it has taken on hot-button issues that other religious organizations generally shy away from. In the process it has been a kind of Vatican “worst fear” for a women religious group.
Kane described NCAN as a “small, passionate, visionary group of women.”
Sister Louise LearsThe coalition, meanwhile, gave its annual Margaret Ellen Traxler Award, named after the late founder of NCAN, to Charity Sr. Louise Lears, who was banned from church ministries and from receiving the sacraments last year by then-St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke for her support of the right for women to be ordained in the Catholic church. The day after Burke punished Lears, he left his St. Louis post to head the highest court in the Catholic church, the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican.
In August 2008, Lears moved to Baltimore to assist her aging mother. She now teaches ethics and medical ethics at Maryland’s Towson University.
The nuns’ coalition board selected Lears for her willingness to stick her neck out and for the compassion and justice manifested in her whole life. “Her demeanor before, during and after the archbishop’s edict has inspired countless Catholics to live the Gospel, work toward a Vatican II vision of church, and speak one’s truth in love,” said the award statement.
The NCAN board also unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon President Obama “to stand up to the forces of fear and hatred and refuse to continue our country’s war against Afghanistan.” The resolution read: “We commend your call for a temporary hiatus in troop buildup; however, neither an increase in troops nor Orwellian ‘death-by-drones’ programs will ensure a peaceful future for either of our countries.”
Eileen Purcell, cofounder of the sanctuary movement in the 1980s and former executive director of the SHARE Foundation, spoke on worker justice in society.
Thomas Fox is NCR editor and can be reached at tfox@ncronline.org.
Thank God for our Sisters. If
Thank God for our Sisters. If only all Catholics were as brave. The stupidity emanating from the Vatican must be faced down not excused.
If the sisters take a vow of
If the sisters take a vow of obedience, just as priests, it is OK to disagree......in private.....to your boss. If you don't like the response, keep going up the line. You don't publicly air your disagreements.
Rome made this Visitation
Rome made this Visitation PUBLIC, not women religious. Sisters have every right to speak against any injustice, oppression and discrimination that they wish to speak against including Roman authority gone wild to protect its own power. Jesus is the Way not the Pope, not Cardinal Rode and not Mother Clare.
The definition of justice is:
The definition of justice is: to give the other person his or her due. Throughout history, Rome ALWAYS had the right (legal and moral) to visit any institution, congregation or religious order if they were dealing with unresolved, unclear and/or pressing issues. In a few decades, if things don’t change, religious orders, especially female religious orders, will be all but extinct in the US. I believe this is an extremely pressing issue in the Church’s life. A visitation, which is nothing else than a fact-finding mission, therefore, should be welcomed under these circumstances. To demonize such an effort and treat it with contempt is the real source of injustice here: not giving another person what his or her dues is. Namely, not giving the universal Church the opportunity to understand the difficulties and problems that bring about the extinction of religious life in the US.
May I add that virtually all
May I add that virtually all of the religious communities of women in the US had begun to die the moment they cut themselves off from the relationships of love and obedience with and to the Pope and the bishops. As Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches." They began to wither and dry up once they turned their backs on our shepherds. What is sustaining them now is their life and mission of protest. They are the new Protestants. In history, women of the Church who protested injustices and error, but maintained their fidelity to the Magisterium, accomplished great changes within the Church (often at the cost of suffering). Dorothy Day was one of them. She fought and protested to certain bishops what she saw as injustices, but she always was consciously obedient to them in matters of faith and morals. The sin of Satan was pride, and it is pride which will draw down the curtain of the story of Sister Theresa Kane and those who march in lockstep with her. This is the tragedy of the Church in our country.
The " Magisterium" has'nt
The " Magisterium" has'nt concerned itself with faith or morals in a very long time. Hiding pedophiles, gathering wayward anti-semites, supporting fascism anywhere it can still be found, and good old money are their majestic concerns and that is the tragedy of our times.
And you know all this
And you know all this information that the "bonds of love and obedience with and to the Pope and the bishops" have or are being cut by religious communities of women in the US? On what is that statement based?
Based, for example, on the
Based, for example, on the content of the above article. However, unfortunately, sowing the seeds of disunity within the Church is not the priviligae of some women religious.
These sisters have been
These sisters have been "faithful to the Gospel" - they have their priorities right - as opposed to those who insist being faithful to the magisterium!
On the other hand, it has been the bishops and priests who have done enough harm to the church. Look at the many priests AND bishops who have sexually abused a child, a youth or an adult... now THAT is EASILY NOT obedience to Rome nor is it Catholic teaching
Dear RaulW, If I understand
Dear RaulW, If I understand what you are saying it is ok because others sin that I also sin? No religion on this earth supports your thinking.
The definition of justice
The definition of justice is
Submitted by Anonymous on Sep. 30, 2009.
If it is fact-finding---then publish the results! But that's not the Vatican's style. Everything is secretive with them---behind closed doors.
At this stage in our development as a nation, Americans HATE the secrets---especially in their religion.
That is not justice! I don't feel a bit of sorrow for the Vatican. They've been riding roughshod over individuals and groups for centuries. They are the ones who are not just!
For your information: The
For your information: The full text of the recent Apostolic visitation to Catholic seminaries and houses of priestly formation in the US has been published on the USCCB website. Your prejudice and hatred (your words) are destorting your judgment. This is also an instance of injustice.
The seminarian one may well
The seminarian one may well be public but it has been stated that the sister's is to be kept secret. The sisters are to take an oath saying they will keep it secret. So now, why the difference here is just one more question.
We all have, not just a
We all have, not just a "right", but a _responsibility_ to challenge injustice when we see it. These Sisters are, for me, a light in the darkness and a witness to what it is to be a disciple of Jesus.
well said. Those who inflict
well said. Those who inflict abuse on the ones who have no voice are not obeying the Vatican. Perhaps the Archbishop who punished the sister for advocating for her fellow nuns, was rewarded by a high position in Rome. How else do we account for his next day transfer to Rome? Where is the justice? Is this the mafia? I thought we were speaking of religious orders.
AMEN!!!!!!
AMEN!!!!!!
Religious - sisters and
Religious - sisters and brothers - take a vow of obedience to *their superior* - the "Mother/Brother General," leadership team or whatever format that community uses. They do NOT vow obedience to bishop or pope. :-) Just as clergy don't take a "vow" of celibacy - they promise it, and there's a legalistic difference - nor one of poverty (unless of course they are order prists!). And again, they "promise" obedience to *their* bishop.
And with all that said...civil disobedience, ecclesial and/or civil, is a long-cherished tradition even among religious.
Jesus caused a stir in the
Jesus caused a stir in the temple. If we are to follow Christ, not the male hierarchy who are self-serving, rather than Christ-serving, "obedience" is akin to slavery. Sisters are the true leaders in the Catholic Church! Bravo to Sister Theresa Kane.
Just remember, vows are made
Just remember, vows are made to God, not to a man or men.
So if your bishop is an
So if your bishop is an outrage to gospel values you just suck it up and shut up? Remember What Jesus Did: to those profiteers in the temple? He fashioned a whip and drove them OUT! Sounds like righteous anger to me.
The vows are not to the
The vows are not to the bishop or the Pope, they are to God. It seems that the male church thinks they are over and above women in general and especially Religious women.
You all are a bunch of
You all are a bunch of Protestants calling yourselves Catholics. Catholics believe in the primacy of Peter/the Pope. Lay, religious, priest, whatever...a Catholic is to be loyal and obedient to the Pope. Period.
Those of you who wont do so are not good Catholics. Period. Look it up (in a true Catholic source)
TM writes: "Catholics believe
TM writes: "Catholics believe in the primacy of Peter/the Pope. Lay, religious, priest, whatever...a Catholic is to be loyal and obedient to the Pope. Period."
In which line of our Credo, or standard statement of beliefs, do we declare this? I took your earnest advise to "Look it up (in a true Catholic source)" and even in our most authoritative Roman Catholic source in English speaking America, the standard reference works of the Reverend Father Richard P. McBrien, I cannot discover this line in our Credo. I have nevertheless uncovered the intriguing source of the Credo we recite (or chant) each Sunday.
Forgive me please and mercifully take a moment to indicate where I err in looking it up.
thanking you in advance
frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco)
"The pope's power of primacy
"The pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact. In virtue of his office, that is as Vicar of Christ and pastor of the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power."
DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH
LUMEN GENTIUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964
The current pope is Benedict
The current pope is Benedict XVI, not "Peter."
(And Peter was never a pope!)
If this is your definition of
If this is your definition of Catholic, I prefer to consider myself a Christian Sister.
Call us Protestants if you
Call us Protestants if you like, but the pews would be pretty empty without us!
I would think a good Catholic
I would think a good Catholic would prefer to be loyal and obedient to Jesus Christ - not to any pope, who is, after all, a mere man.
Why don't you publicly air
Why don't you publicly air your disagreements, "rt"? If you don't go public, then you create a dysfunctional family, that is, a family with dark secrets. Then, the family exists to protect the secrets. Haven't you -- hasn't everyone -- noticed how dysfunctional the "Vatican family" has become? Look at the extent B16 went to to cover up the Priest Pedophile Scandal.
The Sisters who have the courage to speak up demonstrate how healthy they are as individuals and as religious communities. Why, "rt", do you think that these healthy sisters are being investigated? The reason is that the Vatican does not like the issues that the sisters have brought into the light. The "impotent" male hierarchy want to continue to thwart the work of the Holy Spirit in the Roman Catholic Church, and want everyone to get on the bandwagon.
They've apparently already gotten to you, "rt."
RT, And this nonsense means
RT,
And this nonsense means that change will never happen.
JR
So - don't ask, don't tell?
So - don't ask, don't tell? Change never happens by being circumspect about abuse!
The vow is to the Abbess.
The vow is to the Abbess.
I always thought the vow was
I always thought the vow was to the goddess.
From your usage, it looks to
From your usage, it looks to me like "goddess" should be spelled "Goddess." :)
Shows what a prejudice person
Shows what a prejudice person you are.
However and second thought, there is and interesting play on words and that is :
God-ess good and God-ess Love!
Conversly, God-ess not hate.
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
I lived at the cloistered
I lived at the cloistered Benedictine monastery of Regina Laudis (then not yet Abbey) over 34 years ago, and cannot recall any vow given to the person of an Abbesse. The prioresse in those days in which the priory community was still attached to the founding Abbey in Jouarre, was of course the late, excellent Reverend Mother Benedict Duss, OSB, whose biography has been written by Ms. Bosco, to the full satisfaction of few who knew her in life, yet to the great gratitude of everyone.
In any case I cannot recall any such vow to the person of an Abbesse being sworn, but vows of stability and of conversio, etc.
Thank you for your clarification in this. Perhaps, mistaking my acolyte's robes as a nightshirt, I slept through that part of the long ceremony long ago, burdened joyfully as I then was with farm work, and I now anticipate receiving your indication of your source material for this interesting observation.
Where did you observe this?
frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT
The vow of obedience is first
The vow of obedience is first of all obedience to the Spirit. We are all called to voice our conscience and defend what is morally right. This includes working to stop discrimination and injustice. Part of obedience is saying truth to power.
rt, The situation with the
rt, The situation with the Bishops is that they are displaying horrible leadership and should be publicly critiqued by all of us. I did not take a vow of obedience and the Bishops in most cases did not take a vow of poverty. That is very telling in their megalomanic quest for power! All of us as the People of God have the responsibility to speak truth to power. Indeed the Bishops, if they smarten up may begin to understand how self deluding their sense of power actually is.
R. Dennis Porch, MD
obedience in the Church, by
obedience in the Church, by Priest and REligious IS a well known yet complex concept.
It is a concept based on love and cooperation. When superiors are wrong, we Christians and all religious have to stand up and say no. to sa ve them! through our Christian Obedience!
There are few "religious" saints, women and men, who have not stood up and said NO, even into death! The future Cardinal Congar publicly disagreed, went into exile, in England where he could not speek a word with anyone.
May be Joan of Arc was not a "religious" but she said NO to the Bishop and went on to be burnt.
Jesus first! Religious persons are obdedient to a point, then they follow the Holy Spirit in their Hear and Mind....This is why religious life is difficult and sanctifying. Religious persons are no machines....like the very poor Irish nuns who hit the kids (like most of the teachers in their underdeveloped impoverished time..)
There is a HUGE difference,
There is a HUGE difference, rt. Your boss is responsible for the salary you are paid, so you need to kiss a little butt now and then. Religious work for paltry salaries generally speaking. Additionally, in religious service sisters and brothers are called by the Holy Spirit into their vocations, and to spread the message of the Spirit. Did the Holy Spirit call you to your place of employment? Jesus certainly didn't live His life in the manner you suggest, so why should these sisters not follow His example?
dear RT, this kind of
dear RT, this kind of thinking is what shielded the physical and sexual abuse all these centuries in the church, at some point ... the line between private and public must be crossed
Jesus did not minister in private ... he challenged in public ...
When religious take vows they
When religious take vows they don't vow to be stupid and fearful nor do the vows oblige them to stop thinking or to ignore injustice when they see it. Anyone who has been in religious life knows that privately airing disagreements with superiors, especially Vatican superiors, is about as productive as trying to convince a rattlesnake to become a vegetarian.
One is either ignored, chastised or punished. Obedience and docility have been valued more highly than truth.
Throughout the history of the church people dedicated to Christ have disagreed publicly with Church authorities and these disagreements have led to change which brought a wandering church back to its true mission which is to follow Christ and not worship the pope and his bureaucracy.
This had to be written by a
This had to be written by a man.
Mary
Obedience does not mean
Obedience does not mean leaving reasoning and critical thinking by the wayside...obedience does not mean (as in the military) Yes, sir; No sir; No excuse, sir.
This was not Jesus take on
This was not Jesus take on following our conscience. I cannot be obedient when the orders are against Jesus' teachings. May Therese Kane continue to call us to follow our conscience.
Why not? More coverup by
Why not? More coverup by those who would rather hide?
The shame of the RCC is
The shame of the RCC is conservatives have ruled the roost for far too long. We had a Polish Pope who basically did not trust nor really like women. We have a priestly caste who were taught women are your servants.. I remember being in the monastic setting where we were encouraged to only speak to the nuns who served as our cooks, janitors, housekeepers as Sister good morning, Bless you..etc.
Many priests esp. older ones entered seminary in HS or before.. they lived in a troubled sexual setting. In fact there are a few seminaries where unless you're bisexual God Help You. Just look at the mess we're in now.. God Help Us.. and forgive us for having turned the "little Ones".. this Male Priestly Caste who abused the kids.. who had bishops and their mangers who moved the sexual abusers around to abuse more and more.. !
So. .now that a few brave women who dare speak from the knowledge of early church history.. Rome is in an uproar.
I stand in support for all women religious and support for any woman who has trained and been ordained to the Priesthood. In fact I know a few well known Priests who concelebrate with these women priests.. I do so myself openly.
God Bless all who answer the call to serve all who may come to the Altar of the Lord.
Fr. Jim
Why not?
Why not?
Sister Theresa and Sister
Sister Theresa and Sister Louise, Wonderful. I'm certain there will be a flurry of negative comments. Please ignore them. We're with you both. Clear, honest voices like yours are needed and appreciated.
Like you, I don't care a whit about excommunication. No mere man can exclude me from our church. Only God can do that.
I believe much of the pronouncements from the heirarchy that is supposed to be working for us and leading the way is directed instead to futile attempts to controll.
Keep up your wonderful ministries and leadership.
Ed Byrne
I totally agree with what
I totally agree with what Sister Theresa Kane has said above and it is important to remember that the Holy See has the periodic reports submitted, as required, by the leadership of every apostolic congregation of women religious. Perhaps they should be reread.
As far as what women members of religious communities have done and are doing in the United States I suggest visiting the exhibition sponsored by the Leadership Council of Women Religious which is currently in Texas.
It will be there until it travels to Washington, D.C. in the new year.
The exhibit entitled, "Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America, tells how sisters played a vital role in shaping American life from before the earliest days of the republic and throughout its history.
The exhibition is now in Texas where it will be until December 13, 2009 when it travels to Washington, D.C., opening there on January 15, 2010 at the Smithsonian-International Gallery in the Dillon Ripley Center.
More information may be found at:
http://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exhibit.htm
I suggest that a visit to this exhibition should be required of all parties (bishops, archbishops and cardinals) who say they are concerned with the health and welfare of women religious in the United States.
It will be interesting to find out just how the bishops respond, individually and collectively through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to this blatant, vicious and unprovoked attack on those who work side by side with them here in the United States.
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, SNDdeN
New Castle,
Delaware
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com
reply
Women are destined to never
Women are destined to never be legitamately ordained Priests.
If such a heresy ever came to be there would be an immediate
schism in the Church. With the Orthodox Roman Catholics
siding with the male only Priesthood.
Is the Virgin Mother a Priest? Can you possibly ever
imagine the Virgin Mother insisting on being a Priest?
Avoid schism accept the male Priesthood as a gift form the Father.
".... is the virgin Mother a
".... is the virgin Mother a Priest?"....
Well Yes she is; and she is the first and only Legitimate Human person who can actual say: "This is my body.... This is my Blood".
I,m so sorry that you are such a needy person that you can't invision14 a Religious experience that goes beyond Sexuality.
Peace and Joy,
+neil, c.s.e.f.
If your non-fallible pope
If your non-fallible pope says women can be priests you are saying he would be a heretic? So basically YOU don't want women to be priests no matter what Rome says. Where is your humility and obedience to Mother Church?
Mary changed God into the
Mary changed God into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Priests are men. The High
Priests are men. The High Priest Jesus is the God man.
The true Church has a male Priesthood.
Abandon your rebellion.
The Virgin Mother was not a Priest.
The Virgin Mother's father was a Priest.
Does the Virgin Mother insist on being a Priest?
There will be a schism in the Church if women are ordained.
The true Church has an all male preisthood.
As for the apostate Church I discourage from being apart of it.
H-m-m-m. Some theologians
H-m-m-m. Some theologians have suggested that Mary was the first priest; the first to share the Body and Blood with humanity....
I think in all honest, she is
I think in all honest, she is right and wrong at the sametime. She is under vows, but she is a catholic. Alot catholics know you either follow all or none. Sadly the church trreat it women like less equals. Even St Mary the Virgin can fully live up to her imagine. I just do not see how any women can be a devoted catholic, when they blame for all that wrong. Because of Eva, as if Adam could do nothing.
I think it's not the least
I think it's not the least bit helpful to demean the Vatican as stupid and praise the sisters in the same breath. As a convert and discerning a vocation, I am so sad to see the in-fighting. God bless the work these sisters have done *and* there's more to all this conflict. Don't give into the conflict, find within you the capacity to be a peace maker. I know You have it. So share it.
I also that I know I was called to the catholic faith not to "tear down" its structures, but rather to help build the Body of Christ in faith and hope and love, all of our callings. Sisters and lay people ought to rally with the church, bear your complaints and tensions in the process for dialogue that exist, not in media forums, which make it all so combative and cheap.
Can we focus on what matters folks, please? The world is watching. God too.
Respectfully criticize all
Respectfully criticize all you like. If there is real need for reform, someone needs to be brave enough to say so, but if what you want is the change of something unalterable, you are barking at the wind, not heroically suggesting reform.
What part of "whatever" in
What part of "whatever" in "Whatever you shall bind on earth...." don't you understand. Nothing is static.
This article left me feeling
This article left me feeling a little lost and confused. It'll take me a while to sort out what I am feeling exactly. But I do have one response: For a varieties of reasons, I initially was not in support of the Vatican's investigation of the women religious in the United States. But after reading this article, after reading the various quotes from Sr. Kane (albeit out of context), I cannot help but to think that the Vatican's investigation is needed.
The nuns and sisters who taught me and had a great deal of influence in my life had all been women of great strength, courage, and faith. But Sr. Kane's comment ("I am not out of communion. The institution got out of communion with me.") is nothing short of a statement coming from a person who is vindictive and full of pride. Therefore, this attitude cannot be from God...
It depends upon how one
It depends upon how one interprets the statement, "I am not out of communion. The institution got out of communion with me".
I would agree with you, friend, that Sr. would be out of line if she meant that statement in an individualistic and personal way, but I do not believe that she meant this statement in this way.
What I think she is talking about is that the institution has taken itself out of solidarity and communion with all women, and for the desire to see the active participation of all baptized members engage fully in the work and ministry of the church.
So, from this vantage point, I would not say that her comments are prideful.
Dear Anonymous, For the past
Dear Anonymous,
For the past 40+ years women religious have prayed, studied, reflected and dialogued about what the Church was asking of women religious. Sisters put their hearts and souls into this effort out of obedience and through discernment that led them to accept this as a movement of the spirit in their lives.
I am sure that you are aware of the fact that during the past several years there has been a concerted effort to reverse the decisions of Vatical II. Conservative and closed minded bishops have been appointed, bishops that knowingly hid the pedophile of priests have been appointed to positions of leadership in the curia. I could name other situations where Church authority has made concerted efforts to reverse the work of Vatican II. It has been named the reform of the reform. I believe Sister Theresa Kane is right on when she says the Church (authority) has left her. She is not out of communion with the Church (People of God).
How would you feel if you had committed your whole life to serving those in need only to have Church authority investigate you because you followed the Church directives 40+ years earlier?
Imagine a person in need on the street. I do not believe they give a damn if a sister in or out of the habit ministers to them. This is all so ludicrious.
Sister Theresa keep speaking out against this contined oppression of women in the Church.
The vatican investigation of
The vatican investigation of women religious in the US is a witch hunt to placate the "rigthwingnuts" of the church who want to deminish Vatican II and retro-fit the Church to the "good ole days". Benedict is a scholar, no Pastor. And I, as a practicing Catholic, will strongly oppose the american bishops paying for the witch hunt. Have you been to a Latin Mass lately??? It is the pulpit for real arrogance. The priest is separated from the people instead "of the people". Sr. Kane is right to question the motives of the vatican.
It is all in the
It is all in the interpetation. I did not pick up any vindictiveness or pride in Sr. Kane's statement. I thought of it was a play on what former President Regan once said about the Democratic party; that he did not leave the Democratic party, it left him. I didn't agree with him, but I respected his feelings. I certainly did not feel he was being vindictive. Can't you respect Sr. Kane's feelings, even if you disagree, without suggesting any vindictiveness or pride?
John David, President Reagan
John David, President Reagan at least had the good sense of leaving and going elsewhere when he felt that the Democratic Party had left him. He did not stay and breed dissension. Perhaps Ms. Kane should do the same. President Reagan was certainly one of our country's greatest presidents. Ms. Kane is certainly not one of our Church's greatest daughters.
While Sister Theresa Kane is
While Sister Theresa Kane is indeed one of the Church's greatest daughters Mr. Rode, and Mr. Pilarczyk may not be among our Church's greatest sons.
Milbo1, What an analogy!
Milbo1, What an analogy! You compared an incredibly Spirit-led Prophet and Seer to a grade B movie actor who jumped political ships? Sister Theresa is NOT betraying her Church. She is criticizing those in power who are betraying the Church and the communities within the Church that she and others, though less vocal, perhaps, have donated their entire life and being.
Malcolm J. Blue, who is the
Malcolm J. Blue, who is the spirit-led Prophet and Seer to whom you refer? You seem to hold our beloved President Reagan in higher esteem than I do. I know he was a holy man of God, but I never considered him a prophet and seer. But now that you mention it, I can see that he was a prophet led by the Spirit calling our country and her people to a higher destiny and always defending the unborn. Perhaps his love for the unborn is one of the many reasons he left the Democratic Party. Thank you Malcolm, you have put this great man's life in perspective. God bless you!
Although not shared, I do
Although not shared, I do appreciate your admiration for former President Regan. It is this very same admiration I hold for Sr. Kane and so many of our Sisters. I understand that we differ, but the point I would like to make is that there is a difference in the two situations, which I think is an important one and one which I think you may have failed to consider. That difference is the Eucharist. In changing parties Regan did not have to sacrifice something as important as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, as is the beliefs of Catholics. This is something you and many others are suggesting Sr. Kane and anyone else who has a different opinion, do. I think this is, at best, inappropriate and, at worst, grossly insensitive and uncharatible.
Post new comment