MEDIA RELEASE: THE PARADOX OF SERVICE
Life for former Catholic Church nuns who leave their order is often a sorry story of poverty, mental and physical ill health, social isolation and emotional pain, a report released by the Victorian Women’s Trust today has revealed.
This landmark research, the first of its kind to be undertaken in Australia, ‘The Paradox of Service’, examines the experiences of nuns after leaving religious life, and uncovers systemic issues of neglect by the Church. It highlights inconsistencies and inadequacies of the Church in dealing financially and in other ways with members who have left.
“The lack of support former nuns experience flies in the face of the Church’s own Canon Law which instructs that legitimately departing members be treated with equity and evangelical charity,” Women’s Trust Executive Director Mary Crooks said.
The report highlights the critical contribution of nuns in supporting the work and role of the Church over its history.
“Without the effort of women as nuns, the Church simply could not have initiated and sustained its wide-ranging educational and social services across the Australian community over many decades,” Women’s Trust Executive Director Mary Crooks said.
Ms Crooks said the Catholic Church seems to have taken for granted the unpaid work of nuns.
“Paradoxically, despite making huge contributions to the work of the Catholic Church in their service as teachers, nurses and community carers, these women have received little to virtually nothing on departure.”
In releasing the report, the Women’s Trust has called on the Catholic Church to rectify this ongoing injustice which has affected at least several thousand women since the mid-1960s.
“With some vision, political will and resource priorities, the Church now has an important opportunity to be proactive in addressing the welfare of former nuns across the board,” Ms Crooks said, adding “many of them are now elderly and in poor health, still grappling with practical and psychological issues related to their life in the convent”.
The Report outlines proposed ways the Church can help rectify the on-going situation for so many:
“Firstly, an ex-gratia payment should be paid to former nuns to acknowledge their services rendered to the Catholic Church. The second step would see the Church set up an over-arching fund that could provide an appropriate level of financial support to meet the challenges of departure and negotiation of a new life outside,” Ms Crooks said.
Victorian Women’s Trust Executive Director Mary Crooks is available for comment on (03) 9642 0422 . ‘The Paradox of Service’ report is available to download from the homepage of the Victorian Women’s Trust’s website: www.vwt.org.au
Hello
I agree nuns should get paid fro the work they do whilst in their convents and after they leave. I worked a 14 hr day all for the privilage of my food and habit both as according to the vow of poverty, very sparce indeed. how ever that was not an issue, but I made alot of money for the convent as we were working in a goverment/commercial setting and the order (not the individual)got very well paid for our services. When I left I was treated as some sort of leper and given 6 pounds LSD. to make my way in the world, no councelling no where to go, no job,as I was now an open sinner! no help what so ever, only bleak harsh judement,and condemnation. yet in that very same convent we preached christian charity, forgiveness etc etc. I met one of the nuns in London and went to say Hello, she jumped away from me and refused to acknowledge me.I was traumatized for years after leaving and had nightmares about being recaptured and forcibly brought back to the convent. Some nights I awoke sweating thinking I still had my habit on.I entered to serve God , but saw only snobbery, and a condesending attitude to many, which I could not support. and some acts of racism,and humilation for many less well off sisters. If you came from a rich family you were ok.I have not lost my faith but i have never stood in a catholic church again.I still cry at the humilation I was put through all in the “name of Jesus”? which was totally the opposite to what I had heard of Jesus. We are constantly warned of “sects” EG The Moonies or similar,yet no warning is ever given on these so called established orders. The abuse that goes on is well hidden as even if one leaves it is considered the lowest action to speak of it, and you will never hear anything from the ones that stay.Christians? I wonder.I am so glad I found a site and many many thanks.
I left the convent in 1986. I got $1,000. I had nothing. My most humiliating moment was lining up at Centrelink to go on the dole inorder to survive, as I was unemployable at the time. At the age of 60 I am still trying to pay off a house so I will have somewhere to live. There is n o one to fall back on. Now I know I am not the only one. But I notice nothing has happened since this report.
I am sorry for those who left convent ill equipped to live in the world and who face hardships now because of having no retirement savings etc. These old injustices should be rectified. However, that’s only half the story. What about all those religious who were educated as nurses, teachers, social workers — a big investment from their communities — and then left convent before earning much for the community. These people benefitted from that education for the rest of their lives, being able to pursue well paying careers. Should we now ask them to repay their Orders? As for rejection, that cuts both ways too. Many sisters have been heart broken to watch a well loved sister leave and never look back. It is like a death in the family. “Divorce” isn’t easy, whether in married life or religious life.
All I can say is that this has NOT been my experience. I left the convent after 18 years – while I am grateful for my time there and would NEVER denigrate it – my life has been SPECTACULAR – I have a terrific career – got married – adopted two kids – have wonderful health – and my faith is still an integral part of my life. I do see friends who are still in occasionally – actually the community sponsored a return day for those of us who left – compete with barbeque – and lots of talking with old friends – here to those of us who left to find their path- and those who stayed knowing it was where they belonged – we are ALL sisters in Christ
I think this site isnt all that active anymore – I would certainly like to read the experiences of those who left – as I did – and went on to have a great life. I was shocked at the teaser “leapt over the wall” WHAT wall?? I walked in and out the front door of the motherhouse – as I said in my previous post – I’m glad I entered and glad I left- I was where I was supposed to be at that time in my life and I owe the community alot in terms of my education – and the strength of character and spirituality they instilled -