Nuns speak out

The NPR radio program "On Point," a call-in talk show from WBUR Boston, spent an hour today on What’s going on with America’s Catholic nuns.

The New York Times July 1 story "U.S. Nuns Facing Vatican Scrutiny" by Laurie Goodstein, apparently sparked this radio show. Goodstein was on the show. That of course is a story that we have been following since January -- Here, here, here and here, for four quick samples.

Also on the show were three religious women: Sr. Sandra Schneiders, a member of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, an order in Monroe, Michigan. Sr. Mary Traupman, a practicing attorney a member of Sisters of Divine Providence, an order in Allison Park, Pa., and Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, Superior General of The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. She is also a founder and current president of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, which supports more traditional roles for women in Catholic religious orders.

Schneiders allowed us to re-print a letter she had written that we gave the title: We've given birth to a new form of religious life. If you haven't yet read the letter, please take the time now. Then listen to the program.

I've been listening as I type this and it is quite interesting.