Sister Rosanne Reddy on Radio 4
Blogged by James Preece on 23rd February 2011
Sister Rosanne Reddy (legend) and Sister Myra Poole (liberal) discuss nuns and stuff on Radio 4...
In this programme, Ernie discusses the role and place of nuns in religious communities. How have they changed in recent years and how have they coped with a serious decline in vocations? Is there a similar decline within other faith communities?
Joining Ernie to discuss nuns are Myra Poole, a Sister of Notre Dame who is very involved with the movement for Catholic Women's Ordination; Rosanne Reddy, Sister of the Gospel of Life, a comparatively new order which she founded along with Cardinal Thomas Winning in 2000: and Lama Zangmo, a Buddhist nun and Director of the Kagyu Samya Dzong Buddhist Centre in London.
Much of what Sister Myra says reminds me of something Fr Finigan wrote...
Reader Comments
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Jonathan said...
Sister Myra didn't even sound like she had convinced herself when she reasoned in favour of her secular dress. She was wearing jewellery instead of a crucifix because "her crosses were being mended."
Sister Myra feels that habits project a 'holier than thou' message. The habit wearing Sister Rosanne doesn't want to say she is holier than anyone else. Sisters you are holy! If you are devoted to a life of prayer and good works for the Lord that is an example of holiness that inspires us. I want judges who are better lawyers than I am. I want a governer of the bank of England who is a better economist than I am. I need religious who are holier than me to show me the way. There's no need for false humility.
Is this bashfulness related to the vocations shortage? Why make so many sacrifices if your offering isn't more holy and pleasing to God than a life spent chasing one's own desires.
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