Nuns vs. the Vatican

[dekeguy]

I am sort of torn on this issue. On the one hand, I understand and commend the desire of the Sisters to be active in and relevent to society in the 21st century. On the other, I am troubled by their disregard for the solemn vows they took in the process of becoming Sisters in a Religeous Community. They pledge vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. This is true of all Catholic Orders of Sisters. Part of me wants to say "cut the red tape and go for it" while another part says "maybe you ought to resign and be released from your vows before you take action which brings conflict with the Vatican".

By the way, there is a major difference between Sisters and Nuns. Sisters are not cloistered and act as teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, cooks, bakers, etc. Nuns are cloistered and voluntarily take on a much tougher life of obedience and contempletive prayer. They would, I think, really need to be released from their Orders before they could in good conscience act independently. Their role is one I have never really understood as they follow a vocation which seems difficult for me to grasp.

Anyway, I would appreciate your takes on this as I see too many compelling arguments on both sides of the issue.