via Kate Clinton
Speaking of the Habit of Freedom…
“We Are All Nuns”
By Mary E. Hunt
When it comes to the Vatican’s crackdown on women religious, I believe it’s time to declare that for the purpose of this struggle: we are all nuns.
The mandate by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) to reform the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) via the appointment of an Archbishop Delegate to bring the nuns back in line—below and behind the bishops—has outraged those who respect its rich legacy.
If you can spell Catholic, you are probably asking: how dare they go after 57,000 dedicated women whose median age is well over 70 and who work tirelessly for a more just world? How dare the very men who preside over a Church in utter disgrace due to sexual misconduct and cover-ups by bishops try to distract from their own problems by creating new ones for women religious?
While this story is focused on nuns, it doesn’t stop there. Flowery medieval rhetoric by the Vatican about the nuns’ “special place in the Church,” and the fiction that religious women have “full participation in all aspects of the Church’s life” (while ordination is still for men only—come on!) make the dictum especially pernicious.
But it’s really about all of the laity, especially women, who see the world in terms of needs we can fulfill, not power we can hold; of radical equality, not hierarchy; of the many, not the few.
Delicate Souls
So, what happened?
Apparently the straw that broke the camel’s back was the collaboration of the Catholic social justice lobby NETWORK, founded forty years ago by 47 nuns from two dozen communities, and the Catholic Hospital Association in supporting the Obamacare.
More progressive feminist Catholics, myself included, rued the fact that the plan did not cover the full spectrum of reproductive health care—including abortion. Nevertheless, the pragmatic nuns offered bona fide Catholic support for the proposal as written, over and against the US bishops who, to this writing, continue to oppose the legislation because it includes coverage for contraception without enough exemptions to satisfy them.
The fact that members of Congress took the nuns to be normatively Catholic, or at least as Catholic as the bishops, was just more than the delicate souls in Rome could stand.
This latest mandate to reform the LCWR—indeed to put it out of business—has been in the works for years. In a process that began in 2008, the “doctrinal assessment,” as it is known, was aimed at investigating the “serious doctrinal problems which affect many in Consecrated Life.” In the face of wars in several parts of the world, ecological crises throughout the planet, and severe economic injustice, it is morally embarrassing that the Vatican chooses to spend its time on such trivia. But given that the result is aimed at some of the very people whose lives are dedicated to peacemaking, Earth enhancement, and economic sharing, it is worth clarifying what is at stake.
The crux of the matter, as it were, is that most of the nuns, like many Catholics, have matured beyond the Vatican’s imaginings. The notion that postmodern Catholics assent to “the doctrine of the faith that has been revealed by God in Jesus Christ, presented in written form in the divinely inspired Scriptures, and handed on in the Apostolic Tradition under the guidance of the Church’s Magisterium,” (or, simply, the fathers know best) is simply ludicrous. As one observer asked me, “What Bible do they read?”
The truth is, most Catholics no longer look to Rome for guidance on our personal lives, or anyone else’s. Nor do we live within the narrow confines of a cultic Christianity, or, as women, accept male leadership and priestly ministry as if theirs were God-given and ours were not.
Click here to continue.
h/t Murphy 
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Headclunker 05.08.12 at 9:05 pm
I prefer God to religion. They would really benefit from more inclusion of women in management.
Headclunker 05.08.12 at 9:06 pm
Well, it looks like the FEC is trying to assume the responsibilities of the FECK Obama Team. Update:
http://pumapac.org/forums/feck-obama-team/comment-page-5/#comment-493023
DancesWithPumas 05.08.12 at 9:56 pm
Headclunker,
Headclunker 05.08.12 at 9:02 pm
As of the end of March, the OFA is showing $85 million in unitemized contributions. The FEC is asking questions and OFA is slinging those revisions. http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/
4/25/2012 FEC Request for Information from OFA, 15 pages:
http://query.nictusa.com/pdf/527/12330005527/12330005527.pdf#navpanes=0
Kudos to Rebecca Hough of the FEC.
———————–/-////—–
WOOT!!!!
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 11:47 am
Off topic but funny..in the WV Democratic presidential primary the results are Obama @ 55% and Judd @ 42%…Judd is Keith Judd aka “mullet man” and inmate
11593-051…yep Judd is in prison. Getting 44% of the Democratic vote while serving time in a federal prison. President Mullet man or president 11593-051.
Bwahahahaha 15 %
of the vote gets him a delegate on the convention floor, which is in NC where 20% of Democrats voted “other” “anybody” or “no preference” this can’t be good for Oforwardfraud..20% of dems want anybody but Obama. The only preference they have is the president not be Obama, even an unknown federal prisoner known as mullet man.
ROFLMAO.
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 2:13 pm
He did it!!! Oforwardfraud announces his support of gay marriage.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 2:23 pm
In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an “evolution” that led him to this place, based on conversations with his own staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and conversations with his wife and own daughters.
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama told Roberts, in an interview to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday. Excerpts of the interview will air tonight on ABC’s “World News with Diane Sawyer.”
———————–
What a sack o crap is Obama! He got his a$$ handed to him in NC and is so desperate for votes and money, that his political loss accelerated his “evolution”. He makes it sound as if he has struggled with his perception for several years, which, of course, adds gravitas to his so-called evolution, rather than just using it as an expedient to his desparate re-election campaign. After ho wmany years is Teh Once now the welcoming defender, supporter, protector of gays and lesbians, and women??
Gimme a break!
One and Done!
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 2:28 pm
Margaret Thatcher has died.
RIP Iron Lady
stoney42 05.09.12 at 3:20 pm
Hi Pumas,
My PC crashed a couple of days ago – it was old, not worth repairing. Got a lap top. Still getting adjusted.
Watched the movie “Iron Lady” last week. RIP Margaret Thatcher.
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 3:42 pm
Dances- I was listening to the Obama’s gay rights evolution on TV and it is vomit material. That is what I hate about him. He does not have the spine nor character to just tell he truth. everything is predicated on ow many votes he stands to get from any social issue of the day. I am not convinced that he has evolved. It is so insulting to the gay community I think…..I don’t know. I am sure some are rejoicing at his announcement but come on…. If I was gay I would be so insulted.
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 3:48 pm
A breakdown of Oforwardfrauds EVOLUTION…in 1996 as a candidate for State Senate in a questionnaire he stated he was for it but Obama aides disavowed it saying that did not reflect his views. In 2004 as a US Senate candidate he was against it. In 2008 as a presidential candidate he was against it citing his “Christian beliefs” that were being questioned.
In 2010-2011 he “reflected” on the issue and in 2012 after reflecting for a year, conversations with Sasha, Malia and Michelle, conversations with campaign staff who advised him he needs more supporters as well as more money because he almost lost a primary to a man in prison he evolved and is now “the very first president” to make such a unbelievable fantastic drop dead announcement. What a crock of CRAP.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 4:03 pm
In sharp contrast to Romney who stated TODAY that states should be able to decide if you are allow to visit your dieing spouse in the hospital.
one and done.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 4:04 pm
* allowed
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 4:06 pm
I heard something about Biden saying something damaging about same sex marriage. I didn’t catch it all but it would appear that Obama is damage controlling Bidens comments by his announcement. I can’t find a thing said on BBC TV about Mrs Thatcher’s passing but a lot of noise about Obama’s evolution.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 4:12 pm
The “death” of Margaret Thatcher, the prominent ex-prime minister of Great Britain, was wrongly reported
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 4:49 pm
Maybe he should ask Sasha and Malia how to solve the unemployment issue?
I think Bidens comments were a testing of the waters if you will. I wonder how the African American community who are majority against gay marriage feel about his Evolution? The DNC convention is NC..his evolution won’t go over big there.
one and done..love it
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 5:03 pm
STOP calling it Flip Flopping people…it is called EVOLUTION…Obama didn’t flip he EVOLVED
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 5:13 pm
JUST TO BE CLEAR, for those who didn’t get it.
*** my “one and done” was in reference to ME not debating the issue, and was not related to how many times he would be elected. It was in contrast to how it was meant in the previous comment***
“The hate held against someone often clouds ones judgment about them even when what they have done it right.”
“Millions of young Americans were given hope today that their futures will not be limited by what makes them different”
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 5:30 pm
IF i felt that Obamas Evolution was truly an evolution rather than political rhetoric I would praise his evolution.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 5:38 pm
“Millions of young Americans were given hope today that their futures will not be limited by what makes them different”
Granted! and hooray for that. I think it is repulsive that those many young / old Americans were beholden unto one person’s, Obama’s, evolutionary awakening though.
We’ll take what we can get, as per usual, but I’m not holding my breath for Obama to do anything more with his newly evolved self once / if he is re-installed. If he does the right thing, great, the pressure has been brought to bear and was effective! If not, so be it. Given obama’s record, the tossing bus, etc. I just don’t / won’t trust the guy.
Either way, one and done.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 5:38 pm
IF bullfrogs had wings, they wouldn’t bump their ass every time they jumped.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 5:46 pm
From a commenter at another blog:
“The president stressed that this is a personal position, and that he still supports the concept of states’ deciding the issue on their own.”
Barack Oromney
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 5:51 pm
The desparation held for the given outcome of a cause often clouds ones critical judgment of said outcome enough to immediately embrace the superficiality of teh outcome while ignoring the devil at play in the details.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 5:57 pm
Romney today (may 9th, 2012) “the states are able to make decisions with regards to hospital visitation rights”
VS.
Presidential mandate that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians and respect patients’ choices about who may make critical health-care decisions for them.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 6:05 pm
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/05/09/thatcher-is-not-dead-false-news-of-former-british-prime-ministers-death-spreads-on-twitter/
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 6:06 pm
Romney today (may 9th, 2012) “the states are able to make decisions with regards to hospital visitation rights”
VS.
Presidential mandate that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians and respect patients’ choices about who may make critical health-care decisions for them.
————————–
Well, that’s good news.
Doesn’t mean I’ll be voting for anyone other than
Dr Jill Stein – 2012
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 6:12 pm
Oh freakin’ gag me!
obama: “The thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the golden rule — you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated,” he said. “And I think that’s what we try to impart to our kids and that’s what motivates me as president.” [even though it didn't motivate him prior to the 20 Jan swearing in.]
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 6:13 pm
And if she could possibly win, I would vote for her as well!
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:15 pm
Does a presidents personal opinion made in a casual interview make it a presidential mandate?
I don’t have a problem with him evolving but I have a problem with the making public of the “evolution” at a convenient time.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 6:19 pm
Tweeted by: @NoEmptySuits
Dear Mr. @BarackObama, if a state banned #interracial marriage, would you say that’s a “states-rights” issue? No, of course you wouldn’t.
DancesWithPumas 05.09.12 at 6:19 pm
And if she could possibly win, I would vote for her as well!
—————
No woman can win unless ve vote for her.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 6:22 pm
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:15 pm
Obama’s presidential mandate was back in 2010.
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:23 pm
I was watching Wolf Blitzer talk about Hillary letting down her hair ,literally not bothering with make up and wearing her glasses. She loves that she doesn’t care what other people thinks about her appearance anymore and gave one of her big throaty laughs. wolf says he loves her laugh. Wolff has always been very supportive of Hillary. You can tell he likes her.
invalidresponse 05.09.12 at 6:27 pm
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:15 pm
The mandate applied to any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding.
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:35 pm
I am hoping that France and Greece won’t succeed in ganging up on Angela Merkel of Germany.
She,s standing up to the guys who of course do not want the austerity agreement after being agreed to.
Barcelona is quite nice. Safe even for a solo woman traveller- in Madrid I wandered into the tiny little cobble stone streets that look like alley ways and felt safe. Of course dressing down helps. So many tried speaking to me in Spanish. No Comprende comes in useful. One more day and the long trip home.
freddiebrown 05.09.12 at 6:36 pm
Noted on the mandate.
oscarp 05.09.12 at 8:26 pm
evolution at a convenient time= hypocrite ! if you are a politician, then the term acquires a more negative meaning. I know that all politicians lie to get elected, that is in their DNA, but the-president-I-did not-vote-for -him has gone to extremes. It is sad that the gay community might fall for this tactic, as well as many Hispanics have fallen for his “support” for them. What a shame !
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 8:30 pm
Obama has always had the ability to evolve into whatever is desired of him. I don’t know that he even knows who he is. There is no real belief system. He reads what is written for him. He never speaks from the heart therefore there is no sincerity. Even when he speaks of “Christs sacrafice” there not his words and not his feelings. Who is he? The empty suit that speaks what others want to hear.
Have a safe trip home Freddie.
FLBarbara 05.09.12 at 8:53 pm
Here comes the emails
Barbara –
Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:
I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:
http://my.democrats.org/Marriage
I’ve always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.
But over the course of several years I’ve talked to friends and family about this. I’ve thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, I’ve gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.
What I’ve come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.
Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn’t dawn on them that their friends’ parents should be treated differently.
So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.
If you agree, you can stand up with me here.
Thank you,
Barack
DancesWithPumas 05.10.12 at 9:21 am
“I had already made a decision that we were going to probably take this position before the election and before the convention,” Obama told ABC’s “Good Morning America,” referring to the Democratic National Convention in September.
——————-
Too bad he didn’t ‘plan’ to take it during North Carolina’s Amendment 1 campaign, he might have changed some minds. He just couldn’t resist saving his grandstanding for a bigger stage.
Vote for Women… the wads are power hungry insensitive sons of bastards.
HP Boston 05.10.12 at 10:13 am
OMG I can not take anymore of the Lyingsackofcrapobamashithead!!!!!
I can neither vote for lyingsackofcrapobama OR lyingsackofgop!
Therefore I will vote for ANY woman on the ballot and NOT one single shitbum male!
FLBarbara 05.10.12 at 12:55 pm
Breaking News..Obama admits he was selected and not elected.
Washington..President Obamas evolution continues with his shocking revelation that he wasn’t elected. In a scheduled interview with MSNBC..Obama was asked a non scripted direct question..”Did you win your party’s nomination in 2008″?
Obama paused briefly but answered the non scripted direct question…”After my nomination My daughter Malia asked me “daddy how did you get delegates from Michigan when you weren’t on the ballot?” Why did the RBC give you Hillarys votes?
“So after years of reflecting and speaking to Hillary supporters in the military who defend me everyday, also Christ sacrificed so much for me during the campaign..so yes Hillary won the nomination in 2008..But that’s my personal opinion and since there’s nothing I am willing to do about it..it remains just part of the Barack evolution”
No links..BB
Next..Obama evolution continues with the ERA, he supports Malia and Sasha’s school petition BUT..send donations anyway.
FLBarbara 05.10.12 at 1:07 pm
I have heard that he raised 1 million dollars in 90 minutes after his evolution announcement. Tonight is the Hollywood fund raiser at George Clooneys home he is expected to take in 15 million. I would say his evolution timing was just right.
Headclunker 05.10.12 at 6:18 pm
#41 FLBarbara
Christ? Sounds like BO is devolving into a delusional messiah.
Dragonfly 05.11.12 at 2:54 pm
Axis of Medieval – awesome. Love the post, Paddy and Murphy.
This story bugged me when I first read about it a while back but I couldn’t put it in words that were not expletives. Glad to read an article that so well describes it. Speaking of nuns, I just began the collected writings of Hildegard von Bingen.
Obama’s convenient announcement about gay marriage sickened me. I knew, as you noted, FLBarbara, that Biden was testing the waters when he made his announcement. Obama has never been honest about who or what he supports. Empty suit really is the best name for him. He just says what he thinks he can get away with at the time with no regard for the truth, what has come before, or what will come in the future.
I still want to see Iron Lady. Maybe red box tonight.
Happy Mother’s Day PUMAs – enjoy the weekend!
Your Loyal Dragonfly
foxyladi14 05.12.12 at 11:13 am
Didja notice this??
soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf . MY BEHALF??????
foxyladi14 05.12.12 at 11:15 am
Happy Mother’s Day
PUMAs – enjoy the weekend! 
Delle 05.12.12 at 2:52 pm
I wonder if Bill Clinton really called obama incompetent. It comes from a new book and quotes like that often get exaggerated.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/bill_blockbuster_an_amateur_XJHYdaV5LT1vpr5I39IKrN#ixzz1uYpUPjR7
If he did say it, nobody that I know of would disagree.
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY ALL!
foxyladi14 05.13.12 at 11:58 am
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
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