Sr. Theresa Kane Award at WOW 2015, nominations open!

Sister Theresa Kane – Nun who confronted the Pope

In 1979, Sister Theresa Kane was serving as President of the US Leadership of the Women Religious when she was invited to publicly address Pope John Paul II during his visit to the National Shrine in Washington DC. She came before the Pope and the packed pews and said quietly: “We have heard the powerful message of our church addressing the dignity and reverence of all persons. As women, we have pondered these words." The Church, "must respond by providing the possibility of women as persons being included in all ministries.” While the Pontiff himself did not immediately respond, Sister Theresa’s words were broadcast and televised around the world. They continue to reverberate today. She says her plea was “a surprise” to the public, “but not to professional theologians or those in the sisterhood…we were looking at the role of women in the church and society and I was quite imbued in that culture.” 
She has continued to speak, to teach, and to lobby for the expansion of women’s roles within the Church. And she left an impression: When a member of Sister Theresa’s order met with the Pope nineteen years later, he made note of the connection and asked if the sister knew her. The reply was “yes.” John Paul II asked the sister—not once, but twice—to “give my regards to Sister Kane.” In 1979, Sister Theresa Kane was serving as President of the US Leadership of the Women Religious when she was invited to publicly address Pope John Paul II during his visit to the National Shrine in Washington DC. She came before the Pope and the packed pews and said quietly: “We have heard the powerful message of our church addressing the dignity and reverence of all persons. As women, we have pondered these words." The Church, "must respond by providing the possibility of women as persons being included in all ministries.” While the Pontiff himself did not immediately respond, Sister Theresa’s words were broadcast and televised around the world. They continue to reverberate today. She says her plea was “a surprise” to the public, “but not to professional theologians or those in the sisterhood…we were looking at the role of women in the church and society and I was quite imbued in that culture.”

During the opening ceremony of WOW 2015 we will be joined by Sr. Theresa Kane, RSM — truly a woman of vision and courage. In her name, we will launch the inaugural "Theresa Kane, woman of Vision and Courage Award," and honor several women gathered.

Please join WOC in lifting up the names and ministries of a women you know who, like Theresa Kane, prophetically lives out her vision of an inclusive, equal and just Roman Catholic Church. WOC will also honor a local Philadelphia leader, a feminist under forty, and a grassroots activist. Nominations are now open!


290250_235977559773812_6983603_oI don't dream of a church offering equal opportunities to half of humanity because there are already over 2000 contending churches. But I do dream of a humane humanity where all will be accepted on equal terms because there will be no one to compete with it. Call it "Humane Humanity" if you like, that alone can be the name of the Religion of the future. Let Humanity and Rationality prevail because there is no substitute to them. God bless, if there is a god. james kottoor, Chief Editor CCV)

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