With the median age being 65 it seems like there aren't too many nuns like Kate Upton out there, and the number "hearing the call" is in free fall.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4568504_catholic-nuns.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/09/american-nuns-future_n_1762278.html

Full disclosure: I am not a Catholic, nor do I believe that the Pope who will be selected has any special authority in the eternal scheme of things.

at that rate, soon there will be nun...

LOL

It's OK to kiss a nun as long as you don't get in the habit.

That's kind of sad. I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools run by nuns. They were generally kind, generous, happy women and very good teachers. The principal of my K-8 school, Sister [X], was loved by everyone. She made the rounds of all the classes each day with her lovely smile and her beautiful Irish setter in tow, and knew each student by name. Every year, the nuns held a party for the graduating eighth-graders and let them swim in the convent pool.

I understand why it's hard for women now to contemplate a life of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, but I'm thankful for the nuns who taught me during my school years.

The nuns who ran my all-girls' high school were Sisters of Charity--missionary nuns, many with PhDs. They were politicized feminist intellectuals, athough I didn't realize or appreciate that at the time. Today I am grateful; they were very influential to me.

I'm from a loooooong line of Catholics, all educated in parochial schools and Catholic Universities (I took a 17-year detour into Mormonism). Anyhoo . . . this is our family's take: Most nuns of decades past were lesbians. No judgment here. It is what it is (or was).

With gay rights and feminism and child-free lifestyle choices, today there is less incentive to choose the convent as a way to be true to one's inner self. Just sayin'.

BTW, I received an EXCELLENT education from my nuns in Catholic schools! Some I loved, some I feared, some I hated. But I *learned* from them ALL.

;o)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2013 12:18AM by shannon.

My father went to Catholic school. He used to call it Our Lady of Perpetual Penance.

Also a product of Catholic school here.

The nuns were not always kind but most of them were.

When I was helping place disabled children in schools which made it easier for them to learn, I found out that Catholic school with its low pupil-student ratio turned out to be BETTER for disabled kids than going to public school with a special needs class AND better than even having a one-on-one attendant!

And a whole lot cheaper.

Go figure.

Ana

They also have a shortage of priests. You know, if they let nuns and priest start getting married and having families, this problem might go away. It's not like they couldn't afford it. I have a friend who is a Catholic Priest, and he seems to be living comfortably.

by and large they do not self replenish.

mostly.

Given a choice in the modern world, women and gay men prefer to remain free of religious bondage.

I'd say that's a good sign for humanity.