A Non-Answer Answer

1 of my friends sent me a copy of the entire letter he got from the the Prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominicans in response to his letter expressing his concerns about Sr. Donna.

Here it is in it's entirety:

Dear Mr. -------, (name omited by me)
Thank you for your concern and prayers. Know that Sr. Donna has
ceased her activity. Please continue your prayers for her and for us.
Blessings of Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,

(signature)
Sr. Patricia Mulcahey, OP
Prioress of the Congregation

That's it. Nothing about their dealing with correcting her, nothing about what Sr. Donna said that made it clear she was not sorry for her actions.

The statement they issued (& is already off of their website) made it clear, all they are sorry about is that she got called out. "They regret that her actions have created controversy." (from the statement) Nothing then or now that what she did was wrong.

When my friend sent this to me he expressed surprize at even getting an answer. "I thank you for bringing the matter to my attention and my prayers. I never thought I would receive an answer to my earlier correspondence."

Here is what I sent back to him:

FYI: The rest of the story: From a Chicago Tribune article: Quinn said she is ending what she calls her "peacekeeping," insisting that "this is my decision." "Respect for women's moral agency is of critical importance to me, and I look forward to continuing to dialogue with our congregation on these matters as a way of informing my actions as well as educating the community," she said.
She continued: "As a peacekeeper, my goal is to enable women to enter a reproductive health clinic in dignity and without fear of being physically assaulted. ... I am very worried that the publicity around my presence will lead to violations of every woman's right to privacy and expose them to further violence."

In other words, she may have quit for now, but only because of the bad PR for the Dominicans, not because she wants to. & she is blaming the pro-lifers, calling them violent & dangerous.

& we won't go into the way they treated me in a phone conversation after my letter appeared in the TH. If I said it once during the conversation I said it a dozen + times "Are you playing me for a fool."

PS Your getting a response was simply a matter of PR spin, not anything sincere. They are hoping the whole thing blows over so they can get back to supporting their "feminist theology" that includes promoting abortion proponants like Amnesty International & NETWORK.

& here is his response to my analysis:

I think, Al, that you have the correct analysis on this one.

The lack of sincerity and humility may be inferred from the absence of any statement promising obedience to the local bishop. St Catherine of Siena notes

"[God: ] a soul is obedient in proportion to her humility, and humble in proportion to her obedience. This humility is the foster-mother and nurse of charity, and with the same milk she feeds the virtue of obedience. " Sermons in a Sentence vol 3 "St Catherine of Siena" arranged by John P. McClernon, Ignatius Press, 2004, p 37.

But the original source was The Dialogue of the Seraphic Virgin Catherine of Siena. Translated from the original Italian by Algar. Rockford,Ill.: TAN Books and Publishers, 1974. p. 284.

We have not heard the last of Sr. Donna unless 1 of the Bishops involves acts. Part of what they can or can't do depends on whther the Sinsinawa Domincans are pontifical & thus answerable primarily to the Vatican. But even then, the local Bishop does have some authority.

I honestly think that they are hoping this has died out & is over. But we can't let it. This whole mess over there is a prime example of the rebelliousness & dissidence that instigated the Vatican visitation/investigation & a prime example of why it is needed.

PS: When checking out their website I decided to follow the blogs link.

Here is what 1 blog said in a post:

Which of the following issues is most important to you? Why?

How do you see the Sinsinawa Dominicans moving that issue forward?

1. Anti-racism

2. Human trafficking

3. Immigration

4. Relationship with the institutional church

5. International relations

While it did say : "Here are some questions to start our conversations, but please don'tfeel limited by it.", you will note that abortion is nowhere to be seen. & #4 shows clearly that there is a strong emphasis on not agreeing with what the Vatican is saying.

Another one on building community within the Sinsinawa Dominicans is all about relating to one another & absolutely no mention about prayer, liturgy & the other things that should be at the heart of building a truly Christian community. But that Jesus is omited is not surprizing. Nor is the fact that anything that reeks of authentic Catholic practices is missing come as a surprize. & the 1 mention I did find of prayer was in an anonymous comment. (may be others in comments as I didn't check all posts).

Another blog is to develop "a deeper conversion from the poverty of self reliance to the richness of inter-reliance." No jesus again. Another collaberation blog is to help aim at "reconfiguration with Dominican women's congregations nationally."

& even the contemplation blog is more about feeling good than growing in knowing Jesus & focusing on the truths of the Gospel.

The more I see, the more I know that the Sinsinawa Dominicans are anything but faithful Catholic. & need many more of us to call them on it. & as I said, a prime example of what is wrong with LCWR congregations & why the visitation is needed.