Nuns and Girls

Posted by Censor Librorum on Nov 17, 2006 | Categories: Lesbian in a Catholic Sort of Way

We can never underestimate the impact of nuns on our lives. Just in faith formation alone–God, sin, mystery, sacrifice, goodness, grace, redemption–they were probably the greatest set of influencers. A number of Catholic lesbians I have met were also erotically attracted to nuns–like gay men with priests, I suppose–although I was not among them. Nuns pretty much summed up the Church itself: a mysterious and complex equation of hugs and slugs.

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3 Responses to “Nuns and Girls”

  1. Jordan Says:

    In 12 years I never, ever, had a hug from a nun. Maybe a “good job.” but that’s it.

  2. Anonymous Says:

    I didn’t know a Sister until high school… and they were scary and intimidating… then I went to college and attended a number of ‘come and see’ weekends… in general they are just like ‘everyone’ else.
    I had a brief discussion with a sister in re: lesbian sisters… to my own shame I don’t remember any of it. I got the feeling it was an ‘open’ secret… E-

  3. Anonymous Says:

    Dear Jordan and E, Jordan, I never heard “good job”–so I’m sure you must have been a much better student than I ever was in the religion department!

    E – yes, I think lesbian relationships, “particular friendships,” and same-sex attractions were always an undercurrent in any religious community. How much they were tolerated, and how much of an “open secret” was allowed to exist, probably had a lot to do with how these relationships impacted the community fabric-jealousy, sexual tension, preference for a certain woman’s company, etc. Most of the lesbian nuns I knew ended up leaving their communities because they became deeply in love–or passionately involved–with another woman in the community and wanted that relationship to have primacy in their life.

    I do remember being held by one nun when I was very small. My mother was in the hospital visiting my dad, and she left me with one of the nuns. I remember being enclosed by those warm arms, in all that black serge, and feeling safe, and protected, and secure. That remains my vision of the loving Church. Thank you both for writing. Karen

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