Politics & Government

Nuns on the Bus Tour Coming to Racine Next Week

Criticized by the Vatican for taking stands on social issues, a group of nuns are planning a tour to raise awareness of the impact of budget cuts proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan and passed by the House of Representatives.

A group of nuns touring the country will stop in Racine County next week. 

The tour, known as Nuns on the Bus, is making the drive to raise awareness of the work done by nuns throughout the country, after the Vatican leveled criticism at a group of sisters

As reported in the New York Times, the Vatican said the Leadership Conference of Women Religious had "challenged church teaching on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood, and promoted 'radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.'"

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The New York Times also reported the sisters were "reprimanded for making public statements that 'disagree with your challenge the bishops.'" For example, the Times reported, during the 2010 health care overhaul, American bishops opposed the plan, but many on the Leadership Conference supported it. 

The tour which will come through Racine, is a response to that critique, but also a way to raise awareness of programs the Leadership Council supports, the New York Times reported, but that the group says are threatened by Rep. Paul Ryan's budget as passed by the House. 

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"We’re doing this because these are life issues,” Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, a liberal social justice lobby in Washington, told the New York Times. “And by lifting up the work of Catholic sisters, we will demonstrate the very programs and services that will be decimated by the House budget.”

As we learn more specifics about the visit, we will post them on Patch. 


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