Bishop Barry Jones has indicated that he will not remain silent as an American nun, infamous for her opposition to the Catholic Church's pro-life teachings and advocacy of female priesthood, preaches her agenda in his diocese.The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch has told his priests that this week's visit by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister is unauthorized and unwelcome according to The Press, a New Zealand newspaper.
Chittister, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania-a dissident congregation in the Catholic Church - was invited by the Adult Education Trust to speak in Christchurch and elsewhere in New Zealand about "Spirituality & Culture: Sacred Challenges to a Secular World."
The US nun has garnered a well-earned reputation as a vociferous advocate of contraception, abortion, and homosexuality, and has lambasted the Church's teachings on the latter as "spiritual violence and abuse."
Bishop Jones made clear that he could not allow Chittister to speak in his diocese as if she were any Catholic in good standing on account of the scandal and confusion her message would give among Catholics.
"The point is that silence generates the misunderstanding that this is all approved, when it's not. I have made my position clear to the priests," Jones said.
"I don't see how I, as a bishop, can advance the teachings of the Catholic Church by appearing to condone other views."
Chittister is scheduled to speak at St Margaret's College Chapel in Merivale on July 6th and 7th.
Afterwards she leaves Christchurch to spread her gospel in Wellington on July 10 and 11, followed by a visit to Auckland on July 14 and 15 that will include speaking engagements at colleges and parish churches in those dioceses.
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