All articles tagged with #nuns
Nun Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a registered nurse and parish volunteer in McAllen, Texas, was detained by ICE while walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church for Mass but was released after intervention by local and federal lawmakers; DHS/ICE did not comment, and she is back home as of Monday, highlighting concerns about immigration enforcement at houses of worship.
Five nuns are accused of multiple historical child abuse charges at Nazareth House in Aberdeen and Midlothian between 1965 and 1982, with allegations including physical and sexual abuse, some involving severe and distressing acts. The trial is scheduled for March 2027 in Glasgow.
A group of Italian nuns from a retirement home in Raiano went viral on social media by creating humorous and inspiring videos, which have helped them connect with a broader audience and share positive messages, revitalizing their lives and spreading spiritual guidance.
Three elderly Austrian nuns escaped from a nursing home and broke into their former convent with support from followers, defying church orders to live independently and sharing their story on Instagram, gaining widespread support.
The last three surviving sisters of the Austrian Canonesses of St. Augustine, unhappy with their retirement home and longing to return to their historic abbey, plan to be reunited with their former residence through a coordinated effort by their supporters.
Two Brazilian nuns from the 'Copiosa Redenção' congregation went viral after spontaneously performing a beatbox and dance routine on a Catholic TV program, highlighting their use of music as a tool to connect with and help young people struggling with addiction. Sister Marizele Cassiano's beatboxing account has gained over 100,000 followers, and the sisters continue to promote religious vocations and outreach through music and retreats.
Pope Francis has called on religious orders to intensify their efforts in praying and working for new priests and nuns, as the number of individuals entering Catholic religious life continues to decline, particularly in Europe and the Americas. While new members from Asia, Africa, and Latin America have somewhat mitigated the global decline, the overall numbers are still falling, prompting some orders to scale down or cease accepting new members.
Two former nuns have called on Pope Francis to launch an independent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Jesuit artist-priest Marko Rupnik, including claims of threesomes and forced viewing of pornography. The women, former members of the Ignatius of Loyola community, allege that their reports to senior Catholic church officials in the 1990s were dismissed. Rupnik was excommunicated in 2020 for absolving a woman with whom he had sex, but was reinstated after repenting. Despite being expelled from the Jesuits in 2023, Rupnik remains a priest and was accepted into a diocese in Slovenia. The Vatican has been urged to take action, with critics citing similarities to past abuse cover-ups and expressing concern over the church's handling of allegations against Rupnik.
Six nuns and two other individuals who were kidnapped in Haiti have been released, according to the archbishop of Port-au-Prince. The group was released late Wednesday and is reported to be in good condition. The archbishop did not disclose whether a ransom was paid or provide further details on the incident. This kidnapping has prompted religious leaders to criticize the government for its inaction in addressing the surge in gang-related violence in Haiti.
Six nuns of the Congregation of Saint Anne, along with two laypeople, have been released after being kidnapped in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The armed men who abducted them had demanded a ransom of 3.5 million dollars. Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal for their release, and the Catholic Church in Haiti organized a day of prayer for their safe return. The President of Haiti's Bishops Conference expressed joy at their release and thanked those who offered support.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of drag nuns who advocate for care and community service, were disinvited and then re-invited to the annual LGBTQ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium after pressure from conservative media and religious groups. The group, which began organizing in the 1970s to support people with HIV/AIDS, hosts events featuring drag personas and holds popular bingo nights to raise funds for local organizations. Backlash against the Sisters has intensified with the re-issued Pride Night invitation from the Dodgers, but the group remains committed to uplifting their local communities and breaking down barriers.