The Nation : Vatican Orders Nuns to Leave Sanctuary

Four traditionalist nuns locked since October in a wing of their cloistered convent to protest the modernization of their ascetic life style lost their appeal to the Vatican and must leave, Roman Catholic Church authorities said. The church reaffirmed its February decision that the rebellious Discalced Carmelite nuns abandon their sanctuary in an infirmary of the Monastery of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel in Morris Township, N.J., the Diocese of Paterson said. All but the oldest dissident also must leave the convent, and one must leave professed religious life completely, a diocesan spokesman said. Betty Sutton, a spokeswoman for the nuns, said they would remain behind locked doors pending further appeal. In letters to each dissident, the Vatican said it had “carefully re-examined” its original Feb. 22 decision before rejecting the appeal.