Posted on 12/26/2012 8:10:10 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Regulation of firearms “is an imperative” in the aftermath of the massacre of 26 children and adults in Newtown, Conn., along with “robust care for those with mental illness,” according to a bluntly worded statement by America’s largest organization of Roman Catholic nuns.
“There is much to mourn, but mourning is not enough: The killing must stop, America is losing its future,” said the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. The LCWR asked that convents, monasteries, churches and town halls ring their bells 26 times at noon on Dec. 28, which in the church year is the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
“Gun regulation is an imperative,” added the sisters’ statement. “Automatic weapons created for the battlefield have no place in the hands of children or adults incapable of talking responsibility for their use. This societal rupture has been going on far too long and demands immediate action by our national leaders.
“This is not about protecting the 2nd Amendment, but rather protecting the most precious resource we have — the gift of life. This is also time to restore civility to our world and work to change the pervasive culture of violence found throughout this nation, and especially in the entertainment industry.”
The Leadership Conference has been willing to walk in harm’s way. The LCWR was accused by the Vatican earlier this year of promoting “radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith” and failing to teach and promote the church hierarchy’s positions opposing contraception, embryonic stem cell research, marriage equality and abortion.
The Vatican named a panel, headed by Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, to bring the sisters back in line. But the LCWR has denied what it calls “unsubstantiated” Vatican allegations, and defended its activism for social justice.
It has taken far more specific positions than the Catholic hierarchy in the wake of the Newtown massacre. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has said through a spokesman that it supports “measures that control the sale and use of firearms.”
Archbishop Sartain, in a statement of sympathy for the Newtown victims, said: “It is at times such as these that we must rely on God, and resolve to become instruments of his peace in our own homes, workplaces and communities. In Christ alone is our hope for true peace, the peace that wipes away every tear and gives life to our darkest hours.”
The LCWR, by contrast, is urging nuns in its ranks to “stand up and speak out for the sacredness of the lives of these (Newtown) children and all people everywhere.” It is also urging action by temporal political leaders.
“We suggest letting your elected officials at every level of government know that you favor responsible gun legislation,” it said. “Encourage congressional leaders to support a federal ban on the sale, transfer, importation and possession of assault weapons and the munitions that go with them.
“Ask them to fund robust care for those with mental illness as well as take steps to address the growing use of violence as a means of entertainment. Call on your local and state officials to do the same.”
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is an umbrella organization that represents about 57,000 Catholic sisters, or about 80 percent of the women religious in the United States.
Mother Superior jumped the gun.
Regulation of firearms “is an imperative
We have that, In all 57 states.
Next?
These ladies are still not as bad as your nonCatholic fellows at the Westboro Baptist Church.
I think “nuns” are a little more officially Catholic than that.
Meanwhile, here in the real world: We all wish there wasn’t a need to have the weapons, but there is. Wishing for it to all go away is insanity. Until Christ returns in glory there will always be the need.
Sorry, not these nuns.
These aren’t official nuns of the Catholic denomination?
For anyone still not familiar with this group:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-announces-reform-of-us-womens-religious-conference/
They’re officially off the reservation.
These ones aren’t—or are in name only. Think of them like Anglicans. Just because they were stellar examples 60+ years ago doesn’t mean they are today.
These old women are kneejerk liberals. There IS gun regulation.
In places like Nigeria where Christians are numerous and are being pressed by Muslim terrorists, the Christians must arm themselves, because the government cannot protect them.
Yes. This world is full of evil, and we all have God given rights to defend ourselves in this world. We are not sheep led to the slaughter. We are His sheep.
arguably...
none of these are at the individual consumer level like guns.
Get rid of evil first
I’m sure I won’t have been the first to have initially read this headline as “Nuts Speak Out”.
I’ll go look now.
“Gun control is imperative”. SO IS SANITY. LOOKS LIKE SOME HABITS ARE ON TOO TIGHT. CUTS OFF THE AIR TO THE BRAIN.
Pro-abortion nuns oppose the killing of children?
The LCWR has never spoken out against abortion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.