Nuns urge Catholic voters to challenge church

Denver Post ^ | October 26, 2006 | Eric Gorski

[NYer]

An organization of Catholic nuns whose leadership includes four Colorado women is urging Catholic voters to challenge church teachings against abortion and gay marriage while weighing a broad range of social issues on Election Day.

In an "open letter to Catholic voters," the National Coalition of American Nuns provides an alternative to the church hierarchy's voter education efforts in Colorado and nationwide, said Sister Mary Ann Cunningham of Denver, a board member.

Opposing war and treating immigrants with compassion are included in a list of seven issues outlined by the group. Mary Ann Coyle and Anna Koop of Denver and Sallie Ann Watkins of Pueblo are the other Colorado nuns on the board.

The letter also states, "We encourage respect for the moral adulthood of women and will choose legislators who will recognize the right of women to make reproductive decisions and receive medical treatment according to the rights of privacy and conscience."

Cunningham said many Catholics disagree with the church's opposition to legalized abortion for "compassionate, faithful reasons."

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has urged Catholics to "act Catholic" when they vote or run for office and called opposition to abortion "foundational."

"We're supposed to vote as our conscience tells us, not as the archbishop's conscience tells him," said Cunningham, a member of the Sisters of Loretto. "I have great respect for the archbishop, but I think that's kind of treating us like children."

Jeanette DeMelo, spokeswoman for the Denver Archdiocese, said Chaput has highlighted a broad range of issues, all grounded in Catholic teaching.

"Archbishop Charles Chaput is not teaching his personal opinion," she said. "This is the church's teaching, and it is the responsibility of a Catholic to vote their conscience, but their rightly formed conscience, their educated conscience."

The nuns' letter also says citizens "in committed relationships - whether marriages or civil unions" - should have adoption, inheritance and other rights.

Colorado's Catholic bishops oppose a measure on the November ballot that would grant domestic-partnership benefits to same-sex couples, and they support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

"I do value the voice of the church hierarchy," Cunningham said. "But I don't find anything in the Gospels about abortion or gay marriage."

[NYer]

Loretto Leaderhip for 2007-2012

The Delegate Assembly and two-day election process was part of a five day gathering of Loretto members in Denver, Colorado, in July. The “Journey to Jubilee.” Focused on a vision statement leading to Loretto’s commemoration of its 200th anniversary in 2012.

Elected to leadership were:(left, front): Susan Swain SL, Executive Committee; Cathy Mueller SL, President; Vicki Schwartz SL, Executive Committee; (left, back) Kathy Wright SL, Executive Committee; Donna Day SL, Vice-President; Maria Visse SL, Executive Committee; Pearl McGivney SL, Executive Committee.

The Sisters of Loretto and Co-members comprise the Loretto Community. The Loretto Community exists to praise God and minister to people. We are people of faith and service bound together by our love of God and love of one another. We live in the desert Southwest, the hills of Kentucky, cities dotting the East and West coasts, and many places in between ... some live in Europe, Canada, and Africa. Our spirit and mission are grounded in the gospel.

[xsmommy]

OMG why don't they just go and be episcopal priests and leave the Catholic church alone! it's a win-win!

[mockingbyrd]

"Archbishop Charles Chaput is not teaching his personal opinion," she said. "This is the church's teaching, and it is the responsibility of a Catholic to vote their conscience, but their rightly formed conscience, their educated conscience."

High time this was said.......

Who cares what a bunch of old, bitter women think?

[NYer]

Sadly, these are the same Sisters of the 'miraculous' staircase.

FULL STORY

[Unam Sanctam]

Same meme on conscience as Andrew Sullivan was spouting on Hugh Hewitt. A Catholic has a duty to inform his conscience by the moral teachings of the Church.

[voiceinthewind]

You said it. Now let's pray they do it.

[livius]

Beautiful story! What a pity these self-obsessed old bats are profaning the memory of the many sincere, devout and courageous sisters who went before them.

[mockingbyrd]

no, really? that's too bad.

[siunevada]

"We encourage respect for the moral adulthood of women and will choose legislators who will recognize the right of women to make reproductive decisions and receive medical treatment according to the rights of privacy and conscience."

Cunningham said many Catholics disagree with the church's opposition to legalized abortion for "compassionate, faithful reasons."

So, the babies aren't people?

[Mrs. Don-o]

They apparently think "moral adulthood" means "we ourselves define good and evil." A remember that offer being made to Eve. Apparently still persuasive to some.

[OpusatFR]

"So, the babies aren't people?"

According to Michael Fox, they are food.

[rzeznikj at stout]

It's a crying shame...

[rzeznikj at stout]

Same with that one dude from Austin Powers...

Get in my belly!!! 8^)

[DarthVader]

They are apostates.

[arkady_renko]

"I have great respect for the archbishop...

No, you don't. Satan's got your tongue?

A_R

[onyx]

I can't tell you what my husband said.

[AliVeritas]

Where's the inquisition when you need it... or at least a physical excommunication as well as spiritual. I volunteer, anyone else?

[AliVeritas]

Lord have mercy, don't get me started on Sullivan.

[Mrs. Don-o]

According to this recent article, NCAN, which was founded in 1969, has a membership of 1200, out of about about 68,000 religious sisters in the USA. In other words, in 38 years, this "national coalition" has failed to attract about 98.3%% of the nuns in this country.

Just to bring a ray of sunshine into your day...