A Nun’s Life

Posted Friday, July 10, 2009

Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo is leading an investigation of American Catholic nuns on behalf of the Vatican. Rome says it wants to ensure their fidelity to Catholic teaching on controversial questions of ecumenism, homosexuality and an all-male priesthood. Earlier this year the Vatican ordered another investigation into the “quality of life” for nuns as a response to the dwindling new recruits. Both investigations raise some questions: What are nuns up to today and what’s it like to be one in 2009? What still draws them into this life of service? Get answers from nuns in NE Ohio and bring your ask questions of our own Friday morning at 9:00 on 90.3.

Guests

Sister Mary Ann Flannery, Sisters of Charity
Sister Catherine Pinkerton, Sisters of St. Joseph
Sister Susan Durkin, Ursuline sister
Sister Erin Zubal, teacher, Beaumont School, Ursuline sister

Additional Information

U.S. Nuns Facing Vatican Scrutiny, NY Times
A Nun's Life blog

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Mary Elizabeth CLark, SSJ 2:07 PM 7/18/09

Thank you for airing this positive contribution to the Vatican wonderments. I am so impressed with the leadership of those with whom you discussed the issue. Thank you for providing this opportunity for your listeners to hear from top notch women religious. I applaud you!
Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark, SSJ

Lee Hemminger 4:19 PM 7/30/09

This was a delightful airing, and informative in many ways. Hopefully, those who are critical of the religious ways had an opportunity to listen.
It dismays me when individuals speak of loyalty and obedience “to the Church.” We, the people, are the church in the world, baptized into the body of Christ. We all are called to holiness and service to God’s plan. All of us respond to this call in different ways and the sisters are no different. The sisters take a vow of obedience to God, to be a Christ image in the world with love and care. They continue to do this in multiple ministries around the world.
Thankfully, some of these wonderful women have accepted me as a lay person as an Associate, and provided greater depth to my faith and spirituality.