Double crossed : uncovering the Catholic Church's betrayal of American nuns Kenneth A. Briggs

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Briggs, Kenneth A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Catholic Church--United States--History--20th century.

Catholic Church.

Monastic and religious life of women--United States.

Monastic and religious life of women.

Monasticism and religious orders for women--United States.

Monasticism and religious orders for women.

Nuns--United States.

Nuns.

Physical Description:

xii, 258 p. ; 25 cm.

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Uncovering the Catholic Church's betrayal of American nuns

Place of Publication:

New York : Doubleday, c2006.

Summary:

"This groundbreaking expose of the mistreatment of nuns by the Catholic Church reveals a history of unfulfilled promises, misuse of clerical power, and a devastating failure to recognize the singular contributions of these religious women. The Roman Catholic Church in America has lost nearly 100,000 religious sisters in the last forty years, a much greater loss than the priesthood. While the explanation is partly cultural--contemporary women have more choices in work and life--Kenneth Briggs contends that the rapid disappearance of convents can be traced directly to the Church's betrayal of the promises of reform made by the Second Vatican Council. In Double Crossed, Briggs documents the pattern of marginalization and exploitation that has reduced nuns to second-, even third-class citizens within the Catholic Church. America's religious sisters were remarkable, adventurous women. They educated children, managed health care of the sick, and reached out to the poor and homeless. They went to universities and into executive chairs. Their efforts and successes, however, brought little appreciation from the Church, which demeaned their roles, deprived them of power, and placed them under the absolute authority of the all-male clergy. Replete with quotations from nuns and former nuns, Double Crossed uncovers a dark secret at the heart of the Catholic Church. Their voices and Briggs's research provide compelling insights into why the number of religious sisters has declined so precipitously in recent decades--and why, unless reforms are introduced, nuns may vanish forever in America."--Publisher's website.

A study of the treatment of nuns by the Roman Catholic Church in America criticizes the church's betrayal of promised reforms, revealing a pattern of exploitation that has reduced nuns to second-class citizens within the church.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Making Waves in Kansas 11

Chapter 2 Living by the Rule: The Way It Was 23

Chapter 3 Improving by Degrees 41

Chapter 4 Vatican II: Unforeseen Consequences 67

Chapter 5 Old Habits Sometimes Die Hard 83

Chapter 6 Breaking the Convent Mold 101

Chapter 7 Storming the Exits 116

Chapter 8 Seeking Justice 133

Chapter 9 Sister Sisterhood 152

Chapter 10 Backlash 174

Chapter 11 Retirement Woes 204

Chapter 12 Will Sisters Survive? 217.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [245]-247) and index.

ISBN:

0385516363

9780385516365

OCLC:

70106513