Agreed, all essential points. I would suggest, however, that in addition to obedience there is simply the matter of basic respect. Nobody can join an organization, any organization, that has specific rules, practices, and customs and then decide that they are going to violate those rules with impunity and expect that their actions will be blindly accepted by that organization....this is a ludicrous premise, brought about, perhaps, by the collapse of so many other institutions due to a failure to adhere to their own standards. What if the Republican Party were to adopt a plank for it's platform that abortion on demand is just fine and peachy, any old time you like? That the private ownership of guns was a bad thing? It would cease to be anything like what is commonly known as the Republican Party, even though a few RINOS in the ranks undoubtedly believe such idiotic things. They have no respect for the Party itself, just as these nuns have 'apparently' lost their respect for the Church and it's teachings. If you care enough for an organization to join it, then be respectful enough of that organization to abide by it's rules. If you have a question or a concern about a rule, then bring it up through the existing channels of discourse.....don't proclaim your antipathy to the rules of an organization, practice your unaccepted interpretation and then continue to call yourself a member of that organization in good standing. It's profoundly disrespectful as well as being dishonest.
A nun's habit is not only a symbol of piety, faith and obedience, it is a uniform that proclaims an adherence to the practices and stated principles of the Church. Openly violating those principles is, in my view, similar to a uniformed police officer engaging in criminal activity....that officer is engaging in activities unbecoming an officer and in violation of the police department and the laws they are sworn to uphold and enforce. That officer should lose the privilege of wearing the uniform, at a minimum. By wearing the uniform of the Church, a nun similarly professes her embrace of the Church and it's teachings, and she sets an example for all of society. When someone speaks with a nun about matters pertaining to the Church, one has a right to expect that the nun's words will be reflective of the position of the Church.
ITA and well said. Well except for the habit/uniform part since most, at least not here, don’t wear habits anymore. Another sad aspect of the modern church.
These nuns took VOWS. Regardless of a uniform or habit, they took vows and they’re ignoring those vows now.
On a side note, most Orders don’t wear habits anymore. Many say it’s a good thing, because they blend well, others say it’s not so good. I’m with the latter. Anyway, we had a new priest assigned to our parish a little over two years ago and he always dressed as a priest - completely, fully, all the time, etc. The whole cassack (sp), even in 100 degree weather (sorry, not sure what it’s called). No “lay clothes” for him in public. We rarely saw priests here in anything other than regular clothes (except for Mass) so this was nice thing for some of us.
Anyway, none of the nuns here wear the habit. My husband thinks that’s a good thing (he’s a new Catholic, converted about 4 years ago). He believes they blend in better. I disagree. I grew up, attended Catholic schools, when priests and nuns dressed in full habits. Especially the nuns. My kids rarely see nuns in the Habit and the first time, had no idea what they were ( I guess some Orders do the habit but none at their school).
I’m sorta sad reading this story because at least that one nun devoted her entire life (she’s 82) in service to the Church/Jesus and something went wrong somewhere. I have to say, my initial thought was “she’s senile” but knowing the Nuns here, they’re so liberal in their beliefs that I question and really don’t understand it all.
Well said.