Anti-Catholic 'bigotry' in The New Yorker

I know a lot of religious sisters, women who do incredible work for the poor despite unbelievable obstacles. In fact, I write for several congregations of religious women and am always humbled and awed by their commitment to their ministries and their love for all God's people. Unfortunately, not everyone sees sisters in the same light. Too many people have bought into the Hollywood stereotype instead of getting to know the real women who are making a real difference. "Fun with Nuns," an article by Paul Rudnick in the current issue of The New Yorker, caricatures religious sisters in the worst ways, says Jesuit Father James Martin, who takes the magazine to task for calling nuns "dictatorial, sexually repressed and scary" and for allowing anti-Catholicism to seep into its pages.

In a blog post on "In All Things," Father Martin writes:

"It’s a humor piece, but come on. Does anyone think that any other religious group would be subjected to the same treatment? Can you imagine someone writing, for example, “Rabbis can be dictatorial, sexually repressed and scary”? How about comparing a Muslim woman to a “bat” or a "chimp”? To quote Libby Gelman-Waxner’s signature line, “If you ask me”...no way...

"Mr. Rudnick is a talented and funny writer. His books and screenplays are usually delightful. I’m sure he’s a decent and caring guy, and I’m sure he meant no harm with his piece. But to mock, belittle and, let’s face it, reduce to less than human a class of people for a derisive laugh--no matter what your religious beliefs are or aren't--should be named for what it is: bigotry.

"It’s enough already, if you ask me."

Read Father Martin's full post by clicking HERE.