Should this nun lose her vocation?

[why_me]

Should this nun lose her vocation? Or is it possible for a nun to lose her vocation?

nypost.com/seven/09032009/news/regionalnews/flying_nun_in_crash_187933.htm

FLYING NUN IN CRASH
By KIERAN CROWLEY, AUSTIN FENNER and TODD VENEZIA

September 3, 2009 –
A Long Island nun’s bad habit has her in trouble with police – who say she guzzled half a bottle of gin and went on a wild ride that nearly killed a group of children, officials said.

Sister Lauren Hanley, 68, of the St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh, is going to have to say a lot of Hail Marys to make up for her allegedly booze-fueled hell ride Tuesday.

Authorities say she narrowly missed a group of kids, sideswiped parked cars and finally plowed into a tree.

The naughty nun registered a 0.18 blood-alcohol level on a breath test – more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, prosecutors said.

“They teach us about drinking and driving in school, and to see a nun do it is surprising,” said 11-year-old Alex Stein. The Catholic schoolboy said he had to run for his life when Hanley drove a 2006 Toyota Corolla owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph up onto his lawn.

Alex was playing Wiffle Ball with his sister Samantha, 14, and brother Zachary, 2, when the nun careened toward their house on Hawthorne Drive, a short distance from the church, at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

They quickly got out of her way as Samantha, who goes to a Catholic high school run by Hanley’s religious order, screamed to her mom, “Some wacko lady is driving crazy on the lawn!”

Hanley then barreled toward the Steins’ next-door neighbor.

“She was zigzagging . . . She was just gliding around,” the neighbor, who identified herself only as Ethel, told The Post.

Hanley continued up Hawthorn Drive, hitting cars, before she rammed a tree, officials said.

The nun, who was unhurt, was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving. She was arraigned yesterday and released on her own recognizance.

She faces a maximum one year in jail if convicted.

“Miss Hanley holds a position of significant public trust, which makes this disturbing allegation all the more shocking,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.

Authorities said that Hanley started drinking at St. Frances de Chantal at about 3 p.m. while she was at work as the spiritual director. A bottle of what appeared to be alcohol was found in the vehicle.

Neither the Rockville Centre Diocese nor the church had any comment.

This is not a question of drunkin catholics but a serious question when it comes to catholic vocations and reckless behavior.

 

[Reuben_J]

Should this nun lose her vocation? Or is it possible for a nun to lose her vocation?

(1) Based on the report, strictly speaking, no. If she should lose it, it is for her congregation to decide.

(2) Yes, it is possible for her to lose her vocation.

This is not a question of drunkin catholics but a serious question when it comes to catholic vocations and reckless behavior.

Give to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser. If she commits a crime let the authority deals with it.

If she commits sin let her account for it to God.

As for her vocation, what does her congregation and rules say about it?

It is alright to discuss this but at the same time, always caution ourselves that we should never become judges.

God bless.

 

[why_me]

(1) Based on the report, strictly speaking, no. If she should lose it, it is for her congregation to decide.

It is alright to discuss this but at the same time, always caution ourselves that we should never become judges.

God bless.

I was also thinking if she is convicted and is sent to jail what would happen to her vocation. Of course, there is always forgiveness. The thing is I am not sure what would happen to a nun in her 50’s if she lost her vocation. But you are right, we can not be her judge. Usually a person has a reason for behaving this way. But it is unfortunate.

 

[Guyonthestreet]

My understanding is that a vocation is a discerned calling from God. Her continued vocation can then be only a matter between her and God.

What she should be subjected to is the civil authorities as she broke the law, and her orders disciplinary procedures as she created scandal.

But I dont see how either of these impinge on her calling from God, which is what her ‘‘vocation’’ is.

 

[jake23]

Should this nun lose her vocation? Or is it possible for a nun to lose her vocation?

nypost.com/seven/09032009/news/regionalnews/flying_nun_in_crash_187933.htm

FLYING NUN IN CRASH
By KIERAN CROWLEY, AUSTIN FENNER and TODD VENEZIA

September 3, 2009 –
A Long Island nun’s bad habit has her in trouble with police – who say she guzzled half a bottle of gin and went on a wild ride that nearly killed a group of children, officials said.

Sister Lauren Hanley, 68, of the St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh, is going to have to say a lot of Hail Marys to make up for her allegedly booze-fueled hell ride Tuesday.

Authorities say she narrowly missed a group of kids, sideswiped parked cars and finally plowed into a tree.

The naughty nun registered a 0.18 blood-alcohol level on a breath test – more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, prosecutors said.

“They teach us about drinking and driving in school, and to see a nun do it is surprising,” said 11-year-old Alex Stein. The Catholic schoolboy said he had to run for his life when Hanley drove a 2006 Toyota Corolla owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph up onto his lawn.

Alex was playing Wiffle Ball with his sister Samantha, 14, and brother Zachary, 2, when the nun careened toward their house on Hawthorne Drive, a short distance from the church, at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

They quickly got out of her way as Samantha, who goes to a Catholic high school run by Hanley’s religious order, screamed to her mom, “Some wacko lady is driving crazy on the lawn!”

Hanley then barreled toward the Steins’ next-door neighbor.

“She was zigzagging . . . She was just gliding around,” the neighbor, who identified herself only as Ethel, told The Post.

Hanley continued up Hawthorn Drive, hitting cars, before she rammed a tree, officials said.

The nun, who was unhurt, was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving. She was arraigned yesterday and released on her own recognizance.

She faces a maximum one year in jail if convicted.

“Miss Hanley holds a position of significant public trust, which makes this disturbing allegation all the more shocking,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.

Authorities said that Hanley started drinking at St. Frances de Chantal at about 3 p.m. while she was at work as the spiritual director. A bottle of what appeared to be alcohol was found in the vehicle.

Neither the Rockville Centre Diocese nor the church had any comment.

This is not a question of drunkin catholics but a serious question when it comes to catholic vocations and reckless behavior.

I think it is funny that you are digging deep to find anything on a member of the catholic church in the hopes of making Christs holy church look bad! Does doing this make you feel better about the occult? Y0ou should not hide that you are mormon and what your real agenda is. I guess you are threatened by the truths of the holy catholic church! There are 1.2 Billion of us and sorry the 11 Million occult members will never prevail against us. So are you hear to learn about Christ holy church that you trun from or what?

 

[kalt]

She shouldn’t be allowed to drive the school’s bus, parish car, or be given the keys to the wine closet.

Other than that, the authorities will take care of the situation. IMO, anyone who is caught drunk driving should lose their license for a year. If they’re caught again - the license is lost forever and they serve jail time. If an injurt occurs as a result of the first charge, the consequences of the 2nd offense apply. There’s no excuse for drunk driving.

I wonder why you think a drunk driving conviction would result in removal.

 

[kozlosap]

She shouldn’t be allowed to drive the school’s bus, parish car, or be given the keys to the wine closet.

Other than that, the authorities will take care of the situation. IMO, anyone who is caught drunk driving should lose their license for a year. If they’re caught again - the license is lost forever and they serve jail time. If an injurt occurs as a result of the first charge, the consequences of the 2nd offense apply. There’s no excuse for drunk driving.

I wonder why you think a drunk driving conviction would result in removal.

I agree with you totally Kalt - this certainly amounts to human failing, but the Sister should be allowed (as we all are) to participate in rehabilitation and get on with her life and her calling. Our church and the Lord’s teachings are mercy based and not vindictive. When my daughter was preparing for First Holy Communion, the older priest who was conducting classes was quite obviously drinking before classes. The children told their parents and some of the parents got together and spoke with the assistant Bishop. This priest, who had already celebrated 40 years since his ordination was given the opportunity to get help and after a short time reassumed his duties as parish priest. Just because you are a Religious doesn’t make you free of human fraility.

 

[MariaCristina]

This nun is a sick woman who needs to lose her license and perhaps, pay fines and/or do jail time. Second, get her into rehab. I’m sure her sisters are praying for her!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

There used to be, and probably still are, rehab centers for alcoholic priests. We were once in a parish where the recovered priests were sent upon graduation. I never was sure why we were chosen; our pastor was literally enough to drive anyone to drink.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Make her take a vow not of silence but to never drive a motor vehicle again as long as she lives, take away her license, and hide the gin!

 

[Answersplease]

This is not a question of drunkin catholics but a serious question when it comes to catholic vocations and reckless behavior.

This subforum is for “Non-Catholic Religions”, your thread is about Catholics so it doesn’t belong here, you just put it here so you can make a passive agressive bash against the Catholics.

And you made an anti-Catholic bash using the Irish scandal in the “Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Extraterrestrial Quakers” thread.

But I don’t think that you want to go there after the meeting of the Irish catholic leadership with Pope Benedict.

…
But pasting from antimormon sites is not the way to go.

 

[Answersplease]

This is not a question of drunkin catholics but a serious question when it comes to catholic vocations and reckless behavior.

This subforum is for “Non-Catholic Religions”, your thread is about Catholics so it doesn’t belong here, you just put it here so you can make a passive agressive bash against the Catholics.

And you made an anti-Catholic bash using the Irish scandal in the “Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Extraterrestrial Quakers” thread.

But I don’t think that you want to go there after the meeting of the Irish catholic leadership with Pope Benedict.

…
But pasting from antimormon sites is not the way to go.

 

[Phemie]

There used to be, and probably still are, rehab centers for alcoholic priests. We were once in a parish where the recovered priests were sent upon graduation. I never was sure why we were chosen; our pastor was literally enough to drive anyone to drink.

It was to test how good their rehabilitation was, of course.

There are still rehab centers like that and they aren’t limited to priests. I’ve had a pastor and another priest I did work for end up at a well known one in Canada. One might have been rehabilitated but both should be kept out of ‘pastor’ positions because they simply cannot deal with the pressure.

Unfortunately what I’ve noticed is a disregard for these problems when it’s time to assign a priest. Yes, there is definitely a priest shortage, but putting a man who already has problems in a dysfunctional or isolated parish without supervision/support is a recipe for disaster.

 

[redrosetea]

I think she should lose her license perhaps for good…I also think she needs to face the music as far as criminal charges

But to lose her vocation because she fell is very harsh…How do you know she wasn’t an exemplary person that just snapped?

I think these sort of things are best handled internally by people that know the entire story

Remember we are all sinners…so be careful to meet out justice with mercy, because some day we are all going to need it

 

[JReducation]

Obviously who ever started the thread knows nothing about language or the religious life. You can’t lose your vocation. The word vocation means calling. If Christ calls you to marriage, religious life, Holy Orders or the single life, you can’t lose Christ’s calling. You can fall along the way, but the call has been made.

Second, the sister was DUI. This is a civil offense and she has to face whatever the law says. As to whether or not she should be dismissed from her religious community, I doubt that the Vatican would approve of such a move. To be dismissed from perpetual vows you must commit a crime against life, child sexual abuse, attempt marriage, deny the faith or consistently disobey your superior.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[canadianguy1143]

To be dismissed from perpetual vows you must commit a crime against life, child sexual abuse, attempt marriage, deny the faith or consistently disobey your superior.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Isn’t NEARLY killing children while intoxicated consist of a crime against life?

 

[JReducation]

Isn’t NEARLY killing children while intoxicated consist of a crime against life?

Not in Canon Law. It would never hold up in an ecclesial tribunal.

The argument here would be that it has to be determined if the person has a drinking problem. If so, what is being done for that person? The religious community has a canonical, moral and constitutional obligation to take care and provide for the health of its members. The case would be made that the reasonable thing to do is to provide the proper medical and therapeutic healthcare, not to throw the person out on the street and make it someone else’s problem.

The points that the Church would hold up would be:

1. Every religious who has made perpetual vows or solemn vows had THE RIGHT to remain within his or her institute.
2. The institute has the obligation to take care of those members who have an illness.
3. The institute has the obligation to find a place where members with an illness can be cared for without being a danger to others.
4. The religious has an obligation to cooperate with the efforts to help him or her.
5. The institute is asking irresponsibly if it makes its problem someone else’s problem.

As long as there is a way to help this person, there is not justifiable reason to dismiss. You can only dismiss when a crime has been committed that cannot be resolved. In this case, the crime was DUI. She did not hit anyone. The canonical question is, why was she drinking? Was she at a party and had one too many? Is she a habitual drinker? The answer determines the actions of the superior.

Canon Law does require the superior to do something. If it’s an isolated event, then there is a reprimand and there may be a consequence. It it’s an on-going problem, the superior has to find the proper care for this person.

Now, if the person refuses to cooperate, then the superior may give three warnings. After that, he or she may proceed with dismissal procedures.

In the other cases that I mentioned in my previous thread, there are no warnings required. The superior may initiate dismissal procedures immediately.

I hope that clarifies the rules a little more.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF