Pope Francis has made it easier for a religious order to dismiss a member who leaves the community without permission, stays away and does not communicate with his or her superior. In a document titled Communis Vita, the pope amended the Code of Canon Law to include an almost automatic dismissal of religious who are absent without authorization for at least 12 months.
NCR Preview: The director and all-female staff of a monthly women's magazine published by the Vatican's newspaper have resigned in protest, claiming the newspaper's new chief editor sought to water-down the publication by placing it "under the direct control of men."
When her community had an problem with a property transfer, the Sister of St. Joseph realized that many religious were in serious need of the services of a lawyer to assist with deed acquisition and legal documentation.
Amid the turbulence of our age, how do we attune our heart to the deepest place within us — where wisdom is born, where God makes himself visible through us?
Pamela Schaeffer is an independent writer and editor in St. Louis, with more than 35 years full-time work as a journalist specializing in religion. Her experience includes editorial roles at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Religion News Service, the Society of the Sacred Heart, Catholic Health Association and National Catholic Reporter, where she is a former managing editor. She holds a doctorate in historical theology from St. Louis University.
The Life - Changes and challenges called the founders of congregations to discover and present-day women religious to rediscover their charism. GSR heard about it from our sister panelists this month as they responded to this question: How have you or your congregation taken your mission or charism and adapted it to the culture of your surroundings or your country's history?
When I found out that my great-grandmother was Jewish, I wanted to explore Judaism's prayer, customs and traditions. The new knowledge of my heritage gave me more than just another ethnicity; it gave me an insight into the gift of diversity.
With recommendations that "pave the way for governments to engage and invest differently," the March 11-22 U.N. Commission on the Status of Women affirmed support for social protections that help in global efforts to end gender discrimination.
Marie Azzarello is a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal. As an adult educator in the Montreal Archdiocese, her workshops, seminars, retreats and talks have focused on ways in which the scriptural memory of Mary holds the key to a renewed image of discipleship for the church and opens the door to a community of equal disciples. Marie is the author of two books; concern for peace, justice, and environmental issues continue to find expression in her ministry of spirituality and writing.
From A Nun's Life podcasts - In this random nun clip, two Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco talk about how they help their students experience the Salesian family spirit.