We were shocked and dismayed to learn yesterday from an article in the Wisconsin State Journal that Bishop Robert Morlino has banned Sister Maureen McDonnell and another Dominican nun, Sister Lynn Lisbeth, from holding workshops or providing spiritual direction or guidance at any Catholic Church in the Madison area. We know Sister Maureen to embody the highest spiritual values and she has made service to others her life’s work. If there is someone who represents the spirit of charity in the Catholic Church it is Sister Maureen.
During the past 25 years she has been an invaluable support for our programs and projects in the human rights field. She has provided a great example to us all — a person who puts her human values first and works to improve the spiritual life, as well as the living conditions, in her community. It has been a great privilege for us to count upon Sister Maureen for support and dedication to human rights.
We call upon Bishop Morlino to rescind his directive. His attack on Sister Maureen and Sister Lynn raises the specter of a church returning to Medieval values, persecuting model citizens for their humanity and charity. His directive is unworthy of his Church. We wonder if through Bishop Morlino the Church is expressing its fear of change.
COLOMBIA SUPPORT NETWORK
Madison, December 12, 2012