Rocking the Nunnery

elle
OK, full disclosure. I am pro nun. I didn't go to catholic school. There are nuns in my family. My mother protested for civil rights with nuns leading the charge. Quite honestly, the nuns I know are some of the most socially minded, powerful women I know. So perhaps that's why my ears perked up at this story about the Vatican investigating American women's orders. Apparently there have been some serious questions being asked about the work and faith of many nuns in this country. And you can be sure that they're not focusing on the conservative groups who stay home and mind their Ps & Qs, they're worried about the ones that are out there loudly advocating for the poor, immigrants, the LGBTIQ community, and so forth.

This may be an effect of an aging nun population--many of the leaders of communities were adults (and nuns) during the 60s when the Vatican II reforms coincided with the social movements of the US. Perhaps many younger women entering convents are much like post-feminists; feeling that that battle has been won so we don't need to be pounding the pavement anymore. It's hard to say, but what we do know is that these are serious inquiries. Really serious, and yet, acording to the report this level of investigation was never held for men's groups during the sex abuse scandal. Now I know that when you become a nun you embrace obedience, but that doesn't mean you can't push back against a blatently sexist structure. Or even, completely within your vows, work to end the suffering of others. Even if the pope doesn't like them.

And if you want a little heretical nun action check out the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of drag nuns and activists in San Francisco (their vows state that they will dedicate themselves to public service, social activism, and spiritual enlightenment). Apparently Pope John Paul II excommunicated them on his visit to the area in 1987. When asked to comment the response was 'well duh!' They're pretty out there, but they're queens--what do you expect.