Pope’s advice to nuns

Pope Francis this week told leaders of women’s orders from around the world to be “fertile” spiritual mothers in the Catholic Church, not “spinsters”.

The Argentine pontiff addressed some 800 leaders of female religious orders who are in Rome for the meeting of the International Union of Superiors General.

Chastity

Speaking about the nuns’ vow of chastity, the Pope stressed that it must be a “fertile” chastity, generating “spiritual children in the Church”.

With one of the more colourful off-the-cuff expressions that have become a hallmark of his young pontificate, Francis said that “the consecrated are mothers: They must be mothers and not ‘spinsters’!”

“Forgive me if I talk like this, but this maternity of consecrated life, this fruitfulness, is important!”, he added.

Echoing a theme that has often resonated in his public speeches, the Jesuit pope also lashed out against “careerists” and “social climbers” who “use the Church ... as a springboard for their interests and personal ambitions”, saying they do a “great damage” to the church.

In his speech, the Pope reminded the nuns that it is “absurd” for religious women to think of carrying their vocation “outside of the church”.

“It isn’t possible that a consecrated woman or man might ‘feel’ themselves not to be with the church,” he said.

After his speech, a group of nuns was allowed to briefly greet the Pope personally.