Tuesday Aug 26, 2008
An Italian priest who had planned an online “pageant” for nuns has suspended the project, saying he was misinterpreted and had no intention of putting sisters on a beauty catwalk.
“My superiors were not happy. The local bishop was not happy, but they did not understand me either,” Father Antonio Rungi told Reuters by telephone from his convent in southern Italy Tuesday.
“It was not at all my intention to put nuns on the catwalk,” said Rungi, a priest of the Passionists religious order, speaking from his convent in the town of Mondragone. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Kiran | Under Society and People, Spirituality and Religion
Monday Aug 25, 2008
ROME – An Italian priest says he has decided to organize an online beauty pageant for nuns.
Rev. Antonio Rungi, a theologian and schoolteacher from the Naples area, says he wants to fight the stereotype that nuns are all old and dour.
The “Miss Sister 2008″ contest will start in September on a blog run by Rungi. Visitors to the site will have a month to “vote for the nun they consider a model.”
Nuns will fill out a profile, including information about their life and vocation, and provide the website with a photograph.
It will be up to them to choose whether to pose with the traditional veil or with their heads uncovered.
But Rungi says web surfers can forget it if they think they’ll be finding any bikini-clad nuns. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Kiran | Under Society and People, Spirituality and Religion
Thursday Aug 14, 2008
ROME (Reuters) – Catholic nuns and priests in Italy are following their flocks to the beach this summer, establishing an inflatable church and a beach-convent in the sands to lure sunbathers.
The 30-metre (98 ft) long blow-up church — staffed by priests ready to take confession — will debut on Saturday on the Adriatic coast in the Molise region, an organizer said.
“There will be four or five people singing, with music about God,” said Chiara Facci with Catholic group Sentinelli del Mattino. Night time activities, which will not include Mass, will run from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The first attempt to inaugurate the inflatable church last month on the holiday island of Sardinia failed after strong winds forced organizers to relocate, she said.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Kiran | Under Humour, Spirituality and Religion
Monday Aug 11, 2008
Sanctity of the church
CINCINNATI – The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has issued a detailed list of inappropriate behaviors for priests, saying they should not kiss, tickle or wrestle children.
The newest version of the archdiocese’s Decree on Child Protection also prohibits bear hugs, lap-sitting and piggyback rides.
But it says priests may still shake children’s hands, pat them on the back and give high-fives.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Kiran | Under Humour, Society and People, Spirituality and Religion