Just got word that Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM, will be a panelist on the NPR “On Point” program today, Wednesday, July 8. The topic is “U.S. Catholic Nuns and the Vatican” which will probably include discussion about the Apostolic Visitation. One of the other panelists will be Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, RSM (Religious Sister of Mercy), who currently leads the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious, one of two women’s religious leadership groups in the United States (the other is the Leadership Council of Women Religious).
Also on the panel is Sister Mary Traupman, CDP (Sisters of Divine Providence), an attorney who helps senior citizens with legal work, and Laurie Goodstein, national religion correspondent for The New York Times. Goodstein wrote a recent article “U.S. Nuns Facing Vatican Scrutiny” (July 1, 2009) which included a misquote of Sister Sandra when it stated she “urged fellow nuns not to participate/cooperate in the study” — Sister Sandra has requested a correction.
Check your local station for the broadcast time of “On Point” is aired. You can also listen live on the “On Point” website 10am – Noon, 7 – 9pm (ET). The program will likely be available on the website after the broadcast too.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Sister Julie – Thanks for the various ways to find this panel discussion tonorrow. I am away from my usual NPR station and have no idea what shows air, etc., on the local station. Good resources. Thanks again. Jean
Thanks so much for the “heads up.” I spent much of yesterday reading other works by, and about, Sr. Sandra. I greatly appreciate your having introduced me to her thoughts. Although I am not Catholic, I think her writings can be appreciated (although, obviously, not necessarily accepted) by anyone who is thoughtful about matters of faith.
Sister Sandra is one of the most thoughtful theologians and writers that I know. Her research is impeccable! And she’s open to engaging with folks who do have a different perspective. Even though I’ve not always understood or necessarily agreed with stuff, I’ve never felt I couldn’t talk with Sandra about it.
Your introduction to Sister Sandra must also include her love of hiking and the outdoors … so check out an older Nunday post about her in which I mention her taking me to Muir Woods to hike and see the Redwoods!
It looks like this will be the topic during the second hour, starting at 11:00 a.m. (07/08/09)
Ooooh — I think they switched them around — it’s on now on the WBUR station.
Sister Sandra is on now!
Oops. I was referring to 11:00 a.m. “my time.” (Pittsburgh; Eastern Prevailing Time).
I was late in reading what is now two days ago I think but spent a lot of time reading Sandra’s article and commenting on it.
Your reference to the Muir Woods has me writing again because in my only visit to the U.S.A., in the seventies, I spent weeks in California and had a wonderful visit to see the Redwoods. Thanks for the lovely reminders.
Joan
I jusr read the NYTimes article and will go back later to read the original e-mail from Sr Schneiders. My initial reponse to that e-mail was discomfort but, when I insisted that I reread it with consciousness that Sister’s comments were made in PRIVATE correspondence and, thus, undoubtedly used the **language** of private life and not her usual language for public discourse, it was hard to get up in arms with everyone else.
I did not think that, in substance, she discouraged other sisters from participating. I think she was beginning a discussion; an entirely appropriate, if somewhat emotional and colorful, shared discernment of a coming encounter with an intimate stranger (or a strange intimate) with new and evaluative authority in the encounter.
There is a great line in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, in which two characters are observing aloud each other’s fault. “And yours seems to be to willfully misunderstand others”. I think that the responses to Sister Schneiders e-mail has at times bordered on a willful misunderstanding of private comments.
I hope the discussion goes well, and that she is successful in helping others understand her intention. I admire that she keeps plugging away at the dialogue, surely at cost to herself.
Jean
(And, taken just as language and the fun adventure that language can be, I loved her statements!)
On second reading of the article, it strikes me that I need to run out and get a copy of Kenneth Briggs’ book (Double Crossed) about Americna Catholic nuns and the Vatican’s “betrayal” as he terms it. I have never read the book, though I **think** I remember hearing about the book when some nuns got moved out of their Church-supported housing in Caifornia a few years ago. His assessment has been granted a prominent place and voice in the NYTimes article, its final two paragraphs: “Mr. Briggs said of the various investigations: ‘For some in the leadership circles in Rome and elsewhere, it’s a piece of unfinished business. It’s an effort to bring about a re-establishment of a very traditional, very conservative set of standards for what convent life is supposed to be’.”
I just checked him out and see that he is the former religion editor for the NYTimes. Granted, he sems to be speaking here not as a reporter but in his editorial/authorial role in which opinion is both expected and appropriate but, because he is a journalist by training and because he is quoted by a fellow journalist, I find myself expecting the facts that led him to such authoritative and definitive language here about the official if undisclosed goal of the investigations.
Perhaps Mother Clare (who is, indeed, apple-cheeked, as the article describes her; I love the accompanying photos of both sisters) will seek a correction on that score as well.
I love the NYTimes but have rarely read such ham-fisted reporting in its pages, but I am not familiar with either the article’s reporter or Kenneth Briggs. (And, I must admit, I bet the sales of his book increase in these few weeks!) Jean
Jean
It was a pleasure to listen to Sister Sandra and Sister Mary–two intelligent, articulate women–express their views. I was especially moved by Sister Mary’s reference to a “wisdom figure” in her community. What a beautiful, respectful way to refer to someone who’s “been around the block a few times” and shares her knowledge.
Ooh, the Double Crossed book drives me crazy. Read it but didn’t like it. Here’s what I’ve written on Double Crossed.
Admittedly, I have not read a lot of Sr. Sandra’s writings. I have read some though. And what I know of this sister, she is indeed a top-level thinker and author. I’d love to hear that interview with Sr. Sandra and the Sister of Mercy. Is there any place we can listen to it online? I won’t be around when it’s on the radio. Thanks. dee
Hi Dee, you can listen to the show anytime — US Catholic Nuns and the Vatican episode — go to the page and then click on “Listen to this show” right above the title.
Hey Sister Julie – I just printed out everything from your site and Amy Wellborn’s on the topic of the book and am about to dive in. I have not been able to find a copy of the book here in this small harbor town in which I am visiting but will track it down tomorrow. Jean
Loved the podcast which came to my computer the next day. I thought the discussion was very well conducted with respect for differing nuances.
One point at the end which I would love to see stressed was that Sisters who are working outside of the traditional structures in habits which do not all look exactly alike and are like simple clothing of those they work among are doing all of this with the permission of the Vatican, who have spent many years approving decisions made at regular Chapters of the Sisters. They are not true Constitutions until they receive Vatican approval. So the complainers are complaining about the Vatican’s approval of things they don’t like Rome approving.
Many more words to go in this discussion I am sure, but Julie thank you for this blog.
(My primary schooling was with the Aussie Josephites and Mary McKillop is a great hero of mine.)
Many blessings,
Joan OP
Just sat down at the computer with my latest quilting project in my lap and listened to the “On Point” NPR program featuring Sr. Sandra Schneiders, among others. Today, with my morning coffee, I finished reading her talk to the IHM Congregation “God So Loved the World…Ministerial Religious Life in 2009″ (June 14, 2009). I am a long time fan of Sr. Sandra, have read most of her books and consider her a hero, an intelligent, forthright, gifted revealer and prophet of religious life, faithful servant of Jesus Christ and the Church, and just a beautiful person.
On a personal note…A few years ago Sr. Sandra was speaking to the chapter of a religious congregation in the retreat house next door to our contemplative monastery. When we heard that she was going to speak, we asked the leadership if we could attend. Word came back that it was felt that it would not be appropriate for those outside the congregation to attend. We understood, but with regret. Sr. Sandra heard of this request and its denial and marched right over to our monastery, walked through the kitchen, introduced herself as we ate lunch and offered to speak to us at any time the next day on a topic of our choice. “After all,” she said, “you are my sisters.” One of the founders of the IHMs was a Redemptorist. We are Redemptoristines and share with the IHMs a heritage of inspiration coming from St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church. Sr. Sandra came the next day, outlined for us the first chapter of her next book (yet to be published) and joined us for lunch as she continued to answer our questions and to inquire about our life. By this exchange I learned of IHM published history of their congregation, “Building Sisterhood”, 1997. Sr. Sandra saw to it that I was sent a copy. It is a model for congregational histories, editied by Prof. Margaret Susan Thompson of Syracuse University.
During the On Point program Sr. Sandra was always on the mark and I need not repeat here the value of her arguement. I do want to note my admiration of her diplomacy, her graciousness, her ability to deflect the negative, her positive voice, not to mention her patience and the way she has of making anyone she is speaking to feel almost as smart as this brilliant nun. These are gifts I have yet to acquire, especially in the current discussion concerning the Apostolic Visitation and the doctrinal investigation of LCWR. These attributes speak of human dignity and befit the follower of Christ, the religious in spousal relationship with Jesus.
Sr. Hildegard-
I think you “sell yourself short.” By all appearances from your posting, you, too, have the very considerable skills you admire in Sr. Sandra. Those skills are a real gift- and cast a blanket of blessings well beyond just the skilled individual.
Thanks, Sister Hildegard. What a great story about Sister Sandra. I love it. And David, I agree with you 100%!
I love Sr. Hildegard’s story about Sr. Sandra too.
I finally listened to the interview. I thought it was very good. I especially like Sr. Sandra’s comment “all interpretation is personal.” She hit the nail on the head. dee
I enjoyed listening to this interview and especially to the lawyer, Sr. Mary Traupman who was very articulate, logical and fair.
I enjoyed listening to Sr. Sandra since I’ve never heard her speak, but I find it sort of odd that she distances herself from her community. She “makes clear that she’s speaking for herself, not her order…” Why does she do that? I always thought religious life was about a whole identity, a whole sense of being from which the doing ( ministry, action, speech, etc) then flows. As a religious, is it ever really possible or desirable to step outside the charism of your religious identity and speak just for your self? I guess I’m curious because I have been hoping to enter religious life and, as I understand it, everything I do will be fundamentally different once I have entered because I will be living in the collectivity and communion of something bigger than my current individual self. And I want that. I want to live the Communion of Saints, where saints stick by each other through thick and thin because it is their identity consists of unity and blessed togetherness.
Sr. Julie, you’re part of the IHM congregation as well… do you think Sr. Sandra is speaking as an IHM sister when she writes/talks, or just as “Sandra” with the IHM stripped away? Is it a protective thing…. perhaps she’s trying to avoid dragging the rest of IHM in with her since this whole Visitation debate can get pretty snarky? Or is it that some IHM sisters don’t want to be associated with the perspective she’s taken?
I guess any congregation with individual sisters in high profile ministries has to deal with these questions.
I thought that this article from the National Catholic Reporter of 07/06/09 provided more historical context about the visitation: http://ncronline.org/news/women/visitors-past
Best regards and prayers to all-