The Nuns

The Vatican has told the USA Women Religious (nuns) Leadership that they have to spend less focus on social justice issues and more on abortion, same sex marriages and birth control. The Leadership Council represents thousands of nuns who work very closely with the poor. Bishops do not work closely with the poor. They have people to do that The nuns have a particularly unique view of these sex issues because they are so involved with the poor. The nuns focus on social justice issues because they see that poverty has a lot to do with one's decision to abort or use contraception. The women religious want to limit abortions too, but they see it as part of a large picture of poverty and indifference to the sufferings of the poor. The nuns agree that all life is precious, including the people on death row, and those killing one another in wars. Is this an issue of women who are more practical and compassionate versus men who are more into control and power? No doubt there are women religious who agree with the Vatican, but then ask where these women are working? Teaching in seminaries, Catholic colleges, and high schools? Not being ordained, and not working for a bishop, many women religious are therefore beyond the church powers to punish them in any significant fashion. The press is going to have a field day with this stuff.