I would say that the answer is to be more involved in the cities, not to flee them. Every time I hear of another young woman going into a cloistered convent, I think of what a waste of her time and talents. If those who felt such a calling to serve actually got out and served in the inner cities, or Appalachia, or other areas where there is a need for young, educated, energized people to be involved in the lives of the youth, we wouldn't have nearly the problems. Abandonment of those who are stuck in a cycle of poverty is never the answer. And is it only white, Catholic people who should flee? That's not a new idea. It's been going on since WW2. And yes, it is racist.
Actually, the statement, "Flee the cities," is biblical. As for a woman going into a cloistered convent being a "waste of her time," I think you would do better to ask her. These women are in love with Christ and serve through prayer, something our world sadly lacks
I lived very close to a cloistered convent in Alexandria and used to drop groceries off quite frequently. The two sisters who answered the door were among the happiest and wittiest women I've ever met. Far from being a waste, there prayers are absolutely crucial to our world - equally as much as the work of those like Mother Teresa who serve directly.
But as Franz Werfel wrote in his beautiful book, The Song of Bernadette, "For those who believe no explanation is necessary; for those who don't believe, no explanation is possible."
And, no, it's not racist; it's a decision to live where life is more human. The fact that liberal policies have destroyed the cities is what is racist. Johnson's Great Society saw the black family as political chess pieces. There is nothing more racist than attacking the family.
I would say that the answer is to be more involved in the cities, not to flee them. Every time I hear of another young woman going into a cloistered convent, I think of what a waste of her time and talents. If those who felt such a calling to serve actually got out and served in the inner cities, or Appalachia, or other areas where there is a need for young, educated, energized people to be involved in the lives of the youth, we wouldn't have nearly the problems. Abandonment of those who are stuck in a cycle of poverty is never the answer. And is it only white, Catholic people who should flee? That's not a new idea. It's been going on since WW2. And yes, it is racist.
ReplyDeleteActually, the statement, "Flee the cities," is biblical. As for a woman going into a cloistered convent being a "waste of her time," I think you would do better to ask her. These women are in love with Christ and serve through prayer, something our world sadly lacks
ReplyDeleteI lived very close to a cloistered convent in Alexandria and used to drop groceries off quite frequently. The two sisters who answered the door were among the happiest and wittiest women I've ever met. Far from being a waste, there prayers are absolutely crucial to our world - equally as much as the work of those like Mother Teresa who serve directly.
But as Franz Werfel wrote in his beautiful book, The Song of Bernadette, "For those who believe no explanation is necessary; for those who don't believe, no explanation is possible."
And, no, it's not racist; it's a decision to live where life is more human. The fact that liberal policies have destroyed the cities is what is racist. Johnson's Great Society saw the black family as political chess pieces. There is nothing more racist than attacking the family.