[BlessedBeGod]

And, if not, why can't nuns be elevated, as nuns, to a higher position of responsibility in the Catholic Church -- and lead a parish?

The only nuns who want to lead a parish are the liberal ones. (They want power.) If a nun was runnng a parish I was attending I would quit.

A parish is for a pastor to run.

[summer]

Well, choosing between a law-abiding nun, and a priest who molests children, I'd have to go with: the nun.