NCR’s very first “Person of the Year”: Sr. Carol Keehan

National Catholic Reporter has named Sr. Carol Keehan as their very first “Person of the Year”.

Even though she was head of the Catholic Health Association, a political lobby group, before 2009 Sr. Keehan was relatively unimportant.

Then Sr. Keehan, as an exponent of the Magisterium of Nuns facing off against the Catholic Bishops, gave cover to “catholic” pro-abortion politicians to vote in favor of legislation that would ultimately provide taxpayer money for abortions.

But this honor NCR is giving to Sr. Keehan isn’t really about her opposing bishops or bishops’ conferences.

This isn’t really about nuns being persecuted by a Vatican investigation.

This isn’t really about the conflict between women and bishops or women’s roles.

This certainly isn’t about compassion for the poor, or health care.

Sr. Keehan’s award is about abortion, and bringing the abortion business into “catholic” hospitals.

NCR is offering Sr. Carol Keehan as the acceptable Catholic face, the poster person, for compassionate access to abortion for poor women.

NCR honors Sr. Keehan because this year she did more than anyone else to change the perception that Catholics must oppose abortion.

Quite a legacy.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
This entry was posted in Emanations from Penumbras, Magisterium of Nuns and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

52 Comments

  1. DavidJ says:

    To quote Chef Gordon Ramsay: “Shut it down!”

  2. markomalley says:

    And this should surprise us why?

    Happy New Year Father!

  3. Girgadis says:

    One could get very depressed reading the congratulatory comments on NCR’s website.

  4. Peggy R says:

    I suspect that Sr. Margaret McBride in Phoenix was the runner up.

  5. Clinton says:

    What does Sr. Carol’s congregation, the Daughters of Charity, have to say about her actions
    this past year? Has it shown even the tiniest concern for the scandal she is creating?

    Sure, even the most orthodox of congregations can have a brother or sister go off the
    reservation, but if there is no notice taken, no flicker of concern, one can only assume that
    the congregation couldn’t care less–or worse, approves.

  6. HyacinthClare says:

    SHAME

  7. On one hand it’s disheartening and infuriating, but on the other perhaps NCR has done her and itself a grave disservice in attracting even more attention to their dissent and, in this instance, support of an intrinsic evil, and perhaps more and more bishops (who tend to stick up for each other, in general) will crack down on her and it in some way. Here’s hoping.

  8. Wayne NYC says:

    I will thank God for the nuns who taught me
    the most important thing … to know ,love and
    serve God in this life,so as to be happy with him
    eternally in the next. These sisters exuded the joy of
    their friendship with Jesus AND they were no nonsense
    pre-vatican II Religious.
    “Sister”Keehan’ s an imposter. For the very real fact of
    Hell and those who now walk toward it ,this woman’s
    continued scandal must be stopped. Public excommunication now.

  9. I too am sickened by reading the comments on NCR. No doubt they are taking great pains to block all comments except those prasing NCR and “Sister” Keehan. One commenter applauded her for doing what is “truly right and just.” I responded by quoting the Preface of the Most Holy Trinity (Vere dignum et iustum est…) but I’m sure it will be blocked by NCR.

    However, I am consoled by the following undeniable statistics obtained by common sense (and stolen from another poster awhile back):
    Average age of NCR readers: 70+
    Average religion of NCR readers: Episcopalian

    NCR has no future. On the other side of the spectrum, I wonder what the average age of WDTPRS readers is.

  10. Jack Hughes says:

    At the LMS training confereance at downside last Auguast I suggsested that we ought to put madcap Sisters in a zoo . Just think of this ‘nunnas hereticas’ – adulterous Bride of Christ who has lost her Faith and typically seen pontificating on ‘social justice’ issues such as abortion (nearly always approves) and womens ordination (a sure indicator); the more insane varients of the species will also practise Eastern Religious/New Age ‘spiritual’ techniques as well as being overly concerned about the environment (often worshipped as mother earth/Giea); often tries to subvert the Christ of Faith and History by appealing to psudeo-biblical scholership. No naturally occuring cure is known, said Sister must be given a good kicking by her Divine Spouse.

    NB Typically seen without Copy of the Divine Office and not in habit, although this in and of itself is not a garuntee of hetrodoxy.

  11. Yow! Let’s _gingerly_ step out of the way of the lightening bolt_

  12. I agree with all the responses thus far. It is sickening that this woman is getting all this attention: I do like the response of Saint Irenaeus best (which I fully agree with the statements made) :
    On one hand it’s disheartening and infuriating, but on the other perhaps NCR has done her and itself a grave disservice in attracting even more attention to their dissent and, in this instance, support of an intrinsic evil, and perhaps more and more bishops (who tend to stick up for each other, in general) will crack down on her and it in some way. Here’s hoping.

    I too am hoping. With the added attention, maybe they will get shut down. I know it is a long shot. But maybe, just maybe, there will be some great good in this.

  13. Martial Artist says:

    Father Z,

    I think that the National Catholic Reporter has finally earned a reprieve (of sorts) from being called the National Catholic Fishwrap. Any paper as vilely and disgustingly unwholesome as they have shown themselves to be by this choice should not be allowed in the same room with anything edible, let alone used to wrap it! To continue to use this appellation is an affront to honest fishwrap. [I am removing some parts of messages that don’t advance the conversation.]
    Pax et bonum,
    Keith Töpfer

  14. Elizabeth D says:

    “No naturally occuring cure is known, said Sister must be given a good kicking by her Divine Spouse.”

    I think this is an unfortunate comment. The pain of seeing the goodness, humility, mercy and love of God in contrast to one’s own behavior, is more painful by far than if Jesus stooped give us a good “kicking” when we are unfaithful. He is not like that.

  15. Bona says:

    Let us remember that one or two bad apples should not be permitted to bring discredit to all religious sisters. Not all sisters are evil any more than all priests are evil just because sadly there is a fraction of a percent who bring shame upon all. It is regrettable that not all bishops, nor all leaders of religious congregations, seem to be willing to speak out about the truth.

    Pray for Pope Benedict XVI. The Roman Catholic Church is a difficult organization to lead, but it is manifestly clear that he is giving it his all.

  16. Jack Hughes says:

    Elizabeth D

    I’m sorry that you misunderstood my comment; it was meant to emphisise the fact that such religious sisters are so far gone that merely pointing them in the direction of the Churches teaching on a specific matter is not going to work – they need an infusion of Grace that only Jesus can give them.

  17. TomB says:

    The picture surely says a lot!

  18. Christo et Ecclesiae says:

    Agreed, a few comments.

    I know, for a fact, that some of the readers of this blog are healthy Catholics under 22! NO and EF favoring Catholics!

    [I am removing some comments and things from comments.]

  19. Andy Milam says:

    So, I have a rant….then I’ll make my point. I really hate it when we refer to a nun by her last name. Such as Sr. Keenan or Sr. McBride. This is yet another move away from traditional understanding of roles within the Church, to which nuns and religious sisters play a vital and very important role.

    While they may keep their surnames, when they take vows it becomes much less important than their Christian or religious name. I know that it may be picking nits, but I think that it important to understand that Sr. Margaret Mary and Sr. Carol are first religious and that their role isn’t that of a singular person acting of their own volition. So, to refer to them as Sr. McBride and/or Sr. Keenan is intellectually and religiously dishonest and doesn’t do their state in life any justice. They have a role to fill and it is not an individual one, it is communal in the name of Christ and His Beloved Mother.

    To use the surname assumes that they have the freedom to keep her individuality, when in fact, they are bound by vows. These vows are poverty, chastity and obedience and in the case of Sr. Margaret, service. Obedience is not merely to her superiors, but also to the Ordinary in whose diocese they serve.

    Sorry, it just chaps my hide that this liberality has crept into the Church in yet another way to eliminate the importance of consecrated life.

    Now, onto bigger and better things…it doesn’t surprise me one bit that Sr. Carol is recognized by the Fishwrap. They aren’t really Catholic, they only play one on tv.

  20. Shadow says:

    Why don’t we just pray for her?

  21. frjim4321 says:

    On one hand I would say that as is the case with “persons of the year” of other publications, the appelation does not imply the influence of the person was necessarily positive. In fact, wasn’t Hitler a person of the year for a news magazine? And not in a congratulatory sense. On the other hand, I think it’s a very odd time for the NCR to begin this program.

    [Read what NCR wrote about her. This wasn’t Time waaaay back when naming Hitler.]

  22. Sister H. says:

    All the angels & Saints in Heaven, pray for us.

  23. Sister H. says:

    Martial Artist… I like your suggestion, but shall we tweak it just a bit? [No, I think I will remove that suggestion.]

    Bona – Thank you for your statement (“Let us remember that one or two bad apples should not be permitted to bring discredit to all religious sisters. Not all sisters are evil any more than all priests are evil just because sadly there is a fraction of a percent who bring shame upon all. It is regrettable that not all bishops, nor all leaders of religious congregations, seem to be willing to speak out about the truth.” ). Many people lump us all into the heretic category, which, admittedly, would be easy to do because of the “public face” displayed at the congregational level by so many formerly wonderful religious congregations (just take a look at our congregational web sites – my school kids say, “Sister, this looks like it is for PETA or Green Peace – not nuns!”). We must all always remember that MANY good and holy, hardworking, Christ & Church loving Sisters suffer daily at what the “leaders” and “movers & shakers” have done to their beloved communities.

    Andy, (“I really hate it when we refer to a nun by her last name. Such as Sr. Keenan or Sr. McBride. This is yet another move away from traditional understanding of roles within the Church, to which nuns and religious sisters play a vital and very important role”)…AMEN! This bothers me, as well. My school put a name plate outside my door; it reads “Sr. Last Name”…this makes my skin crawl! I always say, “This is not our tradition!” I finally hung an apple next to the name plate which reads, “Sister Firstname”. :) I also rather like “Sister” being spelled out; last year the Spanish teacher asked me why the school always refers to me in print as “Sen~ior” (sorry, this computer doesn’t have a function to put the tilde in the correct place – either that or I just don’t know how to use it!).

  24. Everyone: Please keep your comments elevated. Think, then post.

  25. Father John Horgan says:

    I remember Sister Carol Keenan when she was the head of Providence Hospital in Washington, DC in the early 1990s. She was affable, charming, and wore her habit and veil. At the time, many of us thought of her as an excellent example of a contemporary, orthodox woman Religious, faithful to her charism as a Daughter of Charity, faithful to the Church in all things, and a model of what is best in Catholic healthcare. I think we should pray to her holy founders, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Seton that we might once again see her in that way.

    And, btw, it is customary among the Daughters of Charity for Sisters to be known by their title and their last name; hence, “Mother Seton” and, during her lifetime, “Sister Laboure.” In the community to which “Sister H” belongs, that may be different; but in this case, it is entirely correct and traditional.

  26. Girgadis says:

    Father Horgan, I’m glad you knew Sister Keehan “when” and I thank you for the reminder that prayer is always our best resort. The award is still inappropriate and the approving comments at NCR are even worse.

  27. Geoffrey says:

    “What does Sr. Carol’s congregation, the Daughters of Charity, have to say about her actions
    this past year? Has it shown even the tiniest concern for the scandal she is creating? ”

    I’ve wondered this myself. Every Catholic has a “superior”, whether it be pastor, bishop, pope, religious superior, etc. I am stunned no one has taken any formal action. I would have thought that the USCCB would have done something at this point, even “behind the scenes”.

  28. thickmick says:

    That’s the ticket, Father!

    “I think we should pray to her holy founders, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Seton that we might once again see her in that way.”

    44 But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;
    45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike.
    46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the tax collectors do as much?
    47 And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional?
    48 Do not even the gentiles do as much? You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

  29. spock says:

    In the spirit of “keeping comments elevated”, I will say Veni, Creator for all WDTPRSers !
    I can’t get much more elevated than that.

    That said, who even reads NCR ?? I can’t remember one person in my entire life who referenced it. In truth, I first heard about it on this blog. Even when I was in a less traditional setting, no-one ever referenced that paper to me. What is their circulation? [I don’t know. Who does know?] Is it something like NOW where it’s a few people screaming loudly and that’s basically it? Perhaps some type of discipline should have occurred when she started raking in the cash. I remember reading a huge salary number for here on this blog. Isn’t there a vow of poverty that she took ? We have on recent example of a courageous bishop (the one who took on the hospital in the Southwest). Need some more.

  30. TNCath says:

    As awful as this is, the bestowal of this dubious honor upon Sister Carol Keehan, D.C. may be what it takes for the powers that be (read=the bishops) to realize that the dissent among the sisters and a significant number of laity about the abortion issue needs serious and direct confrontation. May 2011 be the year it happens!

  31. Rich says:

    NCR: what a joke.

  32. Caroline says:

    What really grieves me about Sr Carol Keehan is that she doesn’t seem to mind being a stumbling block to so many young women whose lives will forever be changed by her giving cover to pro abortions politicians. Who calls themselves a Catholic nun and is OK with bringing abortion to Catholic Hospitals ?

    I pray for her to turn her heart toward home.

  33. benedetta says:

    You know in reading the article it is surprisingly vague with respect to exactly why she is singled out for their highest praise. It essentially says that she exercised leadership. Other than sort of characterizing a her versus the Bishops thing it does not really specify exactly what she has done which is so praiseworthy. Strange. Also interesting is what exactly unfolded, when, in the first place there was all this assertion that one could wholeheartedly support healthcare and also be pro-life. Then, the pro-life aspect was unceremoniously dumped in favor of, just the healthcare, even with the abortion. I fear that a lot of good and well-meaning people may have gotten caught up in that bait and switch. The new NCR poster child may well have been one of them. I am not excusing what she did but at this point it certainly does appear that in the end NCR’s triumph is all about abortion and really not about healthcare so much.
    As to the NCR readership, I would say that it is still the playbook in certain areas and its diatribes are divisive and intrude on unity ultimately but its influence is waning even in places where it was once celebrated.
    It is off topic but if you do bother to take a look at NCR on another post the one referred to as “pope joan” (I guess some hierarchy and authority is ok!) writes about her recommendations for a newly ordained priest in a parish. I find it totally ridiculous. And, as a layperson I don’t need her to speak for my spiritual needs to a priest. Interestingly, she calls the laity a ticking time bomb…ok, so we’re a bomb, as in, terrorists? I don’t think that was what the spirit of the second council was all about — a religious calling the laity a timebomb! Somehow it doesn’t quite feel flattering…But she recommends that a new priest be “open” to ordination of women. I really can’t find the pastoral wisdom in trying to shame/guilt people into feeling that if somehow they aren’t totally 100% on board that they are somehow less than open and therefore somehow unworthy or even sinful. It is potentially very damaging, mentally, spiritually, pastorally towards the people he serves, to demand that of a newly ordained priest who often has enough to worry about taking care of people’s immediate needs in front of him without also having to worry about the political agendas of an entitled, theologically elite few.

  34. Norah says:

    Our Pastoral Associate is a Sister of Mercy (RSM). She doesn’t wear a habit and doesn’t live in community with other sisters, she is known by her baptismal name. She is a dear woman and goodness shines from her.

  35. David Collins says:

    Faithful Catholics will not get an abortion. Heathens want it available. Majority rules, I’m afraid. So abortion is here to stay. It’s a shame Sr. Keenan seems to have given cover to Catholic-in-name-only politicians, but what do we expect? Politicians know quite well what the majority of their constituents want.

    The faithful are outnumbered; let’s stop wasting time worrying about what heathens and their Catholic abettors are doing.

  36. ckdexterhaven says:

    How many religious women labor in anonymity to serve Christ and the children of God? The nuns who help the poor in Calcutta, the Sisters of Life in New York City, etc? I pray that the next time Sister Keehan hears the words “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last”, it touches her heart.

  37. Supertradmum says:

    This choice demonstrates how far the disobedient spirit of the NCR has taken over from reason and faith, the two pillars of Catholics continually taught by our dear Pope, Benedict XVI. How sad this makes me is beyond words. Having worked with such sisters, who do not love the Church and sadly, have “lost their first love”, as in Revelation 2;4. “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.Who is Christ, her Spouse, but God Himself, the same God who was Spouse to St. Catherine of Siena and all the excellent nuns and sisters who have died to self for the love of Christ? I can only think that this attention will make the liberal causes of this sister stronger in the world of liberal Catholics. Those liberals in my area will be touting this choice and I am sure she will be praised in the diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Messenger. God, please help us and give us strong bishops to shut down such liberal media outlets, as the NCR and others.

    This is about abortion and contraception. This choice was made in rebellion to our Holy Mother Church.

  38. rakesvines says:

    I am tempted to cut NCR & Keehan with some nasty remarks but after the bomb blast in the Coptic Church in Egypt last night, there is no wind in my sails for neither this dissenter nor the tabloid that exalts her sin. Instead, I think of the injustice of the Egyptian government and the complicity of Obama as he has not condemn the attack yet and I think he won’t – just as he ignored other attacks on Christians.

  39. Supertradmum says:

    rakesvines,

    The same evil which caused that horrible attack is the same evil we have within the Church-its name is satan, and he will rage against the Church until Christ comes again, in many forms. Both situations are to be deplored, but at least, the Coptic people know who their adversary is. Many Catholics in the States are duped, deceived. I think the open enemy leads to the salvation of more souls than the “snake in the grass”.

  40. TJerome says:

    2 fake Catholics in the same photo! A two-fer. The National Anti-Catholic Reporter apparently wants to go down with all flags flying. From casual observation it appears that many parishes, even more liberal ones, no longer carry this rag. I wonder if NCR is now another one of George Soros’ charities? I can’t imagine it surviving on its subscription income.

  41. Supertradmum says:

    One can find it in the back of many Catholic churches in the Midwest. I do not know who orders them.

  42. vmanning says:

    Am I not correct that she is subject to a bishop,somewhere,and her congregation is likewise subject to a bishop,somewhere, and whoever this bishop may be, he has remained silent in the face of obstinante,lengthy and public dissent from dogmatic teachings of the Church by a vowed member of a religious institute? What is worse,Keenan’s schismatic behavior,or the silence of Bishop Anonymous ? Who is more of a danger to the unity of the faithful,Keehan,Pelosi,or thier mute pastors? Finally, does she get another pen ?

  43. gtbradshaw says:

    “NCR is offering Sr. Carol Keehan as the acceptable Catholic face, the poster person, for compassionate access to abortion for poor women.”

    You’re correct on that point, Fr. I too was a ‘poor woman’…fresh out of high school, with a 1 y.o. daughter, living with my parents when I found out I was pregnant again. With 4 younger sibs at home, my mom arranged an ab without knowledge of my dad. I have little doubt that most abortions are done under the guise of ‘compassion’. How else could anyone make peace with ripping a baby apart limb from limb? But its a faux compassion…what, in this culture, passes for compassion so we don’t have to deal with hard/painful facts. Here’s more, if you’re interested:
    http://www.zealforyourhouseconsumesme.com/2010/11/well-meaning-anonymous-commentor-left.html

  44. Pingback: RECENT POSTS | Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?

  45. cyejbv says:

    //That said, who even reads NCR ?? I can’t remember one person in my entire life who referenced it. In truth, I first heard about it on this blog. Even when I was in a less traditional setting, no-one ever referenced that paper to me. What is their circulation?//

    I looked, because I actually did read it prior to knowing better. 40,000-ish is the best ball park I can find for circulation. I couldn’t find any numbers to compare, say for Latin Mass magazine. 40,000 is not huge, but it’s not miniscule either.
    Pray for a decrease in their circulation; there will likely never be a day that publications which aren’t Catholic will come clean. ‘The National Not Really Catholic Reporter But Here We Are’ is a sweet dream though, isn’t it?
    And of course if that did happen, the articles therein would have to be aptly identified as well though the titles would need to be significantly longer: ‘Honoring a Disobedient Consecrated Religious Female Because We Are Not Really Catholic Anyway- Our Person of the Year: S Keehan!’
    Truth in advertising, no?

  46. cyejbv says:

    Sorry spock I forgot to reference that it was your quote above!

  47. amdgbvmh says:

    Like a friend of my calls NCR – The National Catholic Distorter – Keehan is a Cino. No “communion” with the Catholic church.

  48. Mary Ann says:

    Regarding NCR readership and circulation…here is a link to their media kit that should provide detailed information about these to potential advertisers.

    http://ncrnews.org/advertising/Web_Media_Kit_2011.pdf

    As a former advertising agency media manager, I would never have recommended NCR based on their inadequate kit alone! There are no lists of cirulation, paid vs. non-paid, numbers delivered to USPS, audited cirulation verification such as with ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation).

    They throw out numbers regarding their readership demographics without ever referencing a survey, methodolgy, date, number of readers surveyed, etc.

    [Twice they DID quote The New York Times: ““National Catholic Reporter is a brave little newspaper”. That leaves me speechless at the moment…but not surprised.]

  49. Joseph-Mary says:

    It is not goodness that shines from this particular dissenter.

    As for it being compassionate to ‘poor women’ to have ‘abortion services’–B as in b and S as in s. as father would say. Ever see MAAFA 21? There is genocide going on folks! The African American population is decreasing. Many abortion mills are in poor neighborhoods to reduce the ‘unwanted populations’ and it is working. Margaret Sanger was a eugenicist. The murder of the unborn is an atrocious intrinsic evil. Yes, it starts with the sexualizing of the children in schools and society such that they do not know right from wrong. Our Lady at Fatima said the most souls go to hell for sins of the flesh. So do those that promote and teach them.

    My children have grown up without seeing a real live ‘nun’ in a habit. Yes, the NCR and America magazine and Commonweal were found at our parishes. The ‘religious sisters’ in their new clothes and jewelry who did not go to daily Mass (did not wish to see their Spouse?) were about but luckily you could not pick them out in a crowd. Yes, some did social work. You do not need to be in an Order to do that. They indeed had ‘lost their first love’. They looked down on the faithful remnant and considered people like daily communicants to be ‘fanatics’. But they are a dying breed. There is no grace in liberalism or dissent. It is a sad thing that these women, once considered brides of Christ should shun His Church and teachings and lead others to do the same. The blind leading the blind and then they all fall into the pit…

  50. nohawks says:

    The NCR is irrelevant

  51. Brad says:

    Two commentators wrote: “who even reads NCR?” and “NCR is irrelevant”, to which I answer both by saying: parish RCIA teams.

  52. Lili of the fields says:

    If Sister Keenan wants to help poor women with their particular needs and at the same time defy Church teachings why not give access to free contraception for poor women ? Why abortion ?There is definitely a political agenda disguised in compassionate social work at play here.
    A good thing about dissenter: it forces everyone to think about their own position

Comments are closed.