"Nuns on the Bus" leader: We're living the gospel, and we won't back down

(CBS News) JANESVILLE, Wis. - Fourteen Roman Catholic nuns on a nine-state bus tour are in Chicago Wednesday, after several stops in Wisconsin. Officially, they're protesting cuts in federal programs for the poor. But the "Nuns on the Bus" tour is also an act of defiance against criticism from the Vatican.

Sister Simone Campbell is a Roman Catholic nun and the executive director of Network -- a liberal social justice lobby in Washington.

"Nuns on the Bus" website

She's been under siege, but she's not fazed.

"Into every life a little rain must come," she said.

Sister Simone is also a bit of a provocateur.

"Catholic sisters have always been out on the edge," she said. "And quite frankly we have a long history of kind of annoying the central authority."

The central authority they've recently annoyed is the Vatican itself. In April, sister Simone's group and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious -- representing 80 percent of the nation's nuns -- were attacked by the church hierarchy for focusing too much of their work on poverty and economic justice, while being silent on abortion and same-sex marriage.

Vatican reprimands U.S. nuns over "radical feminist themes"
U.S. Catholic nuns go about work after rebuke

Simone says she pleads guilty to part of that charge: "That I spend too much time working for people in poverty. I wear that as a badge of honor."

The Vatican has appointed a bishop to correct what the church calls "serious doctrinal problems" in the way the nuns work.

They've been called radical feminists.

Simone's response: "Oh my heavens. I actually have to laugh. We are strong women. We're educated women. We ask questions. We engage in dialogue. That's all we do. We stay faithful to the gospel and trying to live it.

"But in living it, you break it open and ask questions," she said. "It's fabulous."

So Sister Simone has doubled down -- launching this bus tour in what can only be seen as a retort to Rome.

The sisters are focusing on social issues all along the way -- holding press conferences and staging protests against the proposed budget cuts which they say will endanger those most in need. At the starting line in Iowa, there was no talk of same-sex marriage.

"The truth is we have to speak up for the people who are suffering in our society," Simone said. "That's our mission. That's our goal. That's what Jesus would do. That's the gospel."

And off they went -- the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of Mercy and others -- barreling down the back roads -- and not slowing down.

[AngelinaSlone]

I left my comment not to be seen.. these women are Liberal Activists,nothing more.

[Bh1776]

I will never understand why anyone who is intelligent and female would stay in a church that not only treats them as second class citizens but also apparently hates women. Leave the church of your own accord unless you are seeking the imprimatur of Martin Luther.

[amina81]

The reality is that these sisters--the ones the report said make up 80% of women religious in the U.S.--are slowly dying out. The fastest growing orders--such as the Sisters of Life in New York and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville--are growing so fast it is hard to accommodate all of them! Very few women want to join wishy washy orders where there is very little of substance offered. Those orders started to lose vocations when they forgot what is at the heart of the Gospel. It's not that social justice isn't important. Rather, it's that social justice encompasses far more than just economic justice. And these sisters fail to realize that.

[sjc_1]

Democrats are for helping the poor while Republicans want to take everything away. Which party is always claiming to be more Christian? Oh the irony...

[dogdeldiablo]

you are so right that is way they permit gender abortion and why the ones geting the money is GM,GE and buffet wile other are loosing there homes

[AngelinaSlone]

Democrats helping the poor?Well it's obvius you allowed yourself to be brainwashed by this aministration.The only reason the president you support was elected as he knew how to gain the votes through entitlements.Have you noticed how he and Michelle live on our dime? What poor,yes there are and what should go to them goes to Obamas bogus disability,welfare,Illegals, food stamps 50 million and counting. These women with the Gospel are Liberal activists nothing more. To not answer the question of Gay marriage and Abortion tells the whole story. They will have their little following of Liberals and that will be that. To enter the Vatican,their dream.. NEVER HAPPEN, surely not with their belief system.Put their Habits back on and act accordingly for the purpose of the church. If they don't like the conservative views, form their own church but it is not of the Catholic Gospel.

[Marielife1]

I am so proud of the nouns for standing up for the poor. I am enthralled with this story. Thank you nuns for all you do in the name of Jesus. Sister Simone is a prophet and I hope that Paul Ryan and the rest of Congress listen to the wordsl Go Nuns!

[dogdeldiablo]

I hope to see them in hell, they are making there own sect

[realpatriot1776]

most people forget these women join their club, and to be part of that club you dance to the tune they play, so if these women are hell bent on being what they want to be rather then that which is described by the Pope than these women are not representing the Catholic Church they are representing themselves which is totally against the faith "You will do as I have done" he followed the will of the father, to his death, and these want to follow the will of themselves and they will reap their rewards,

[glorrie]

Oh, you mean the way Jesus bent down to the authority of rabbinical doctrine?

You can hardly say these nuns are representing only themselves, since they are not fighting FOR themselves but FOR the very people on whose behalf Jesus fought.

The Catholic hierarchy has lost its soul. They have forgotten Jesus' teachings. They have become nothing more than a shell, and a shill for the wealthy and powerful. These nuns exemplify the true spirit of Christ, and therefore the true spirit of the church.

Those who fight them -- THEY will reap their rewards.

[teacherml]

Thing is, the Catholic church has a long & rich history & tradition of social justice, so the nuns are not "bent on being what they want to be" they are being exactly what Jesus Chorister asked us all to be, those who take care of the least of these. These nuns bring love, compassion, healing. & justice to those on the margins of society - the very people JESUS himself hung out with, so they are representing the Catholic church in its very best light, the light of CHRIST!

[TheCainer]

Isn't it ironic that someone named realpatriot1776 would question someone who is questioning that party's authority? Did not our nation's real patriots of 1776 question and stand up to the authority they did not agree with? And look what it gave us.

You need to consider a name change if that's the way you really believe. These nuns are the types of people that the oppressed really long for, not for someone who promises them the status quo.

Go Sisters go! My prayers are with you.

[BronxLady]

I agree with the other replies. The sisters represent Jesus. And btw, realpatriot, the sisters stand in solidarity with the Catholic bishops in their opposition to the Ryan budget

[vernique3]

Most church leaders are destroying religion but these nuns are an exception. It is time that the nuns are placed in charge of the church. Spiritualist who have turned away from the church would then feel welcome returning to the church.

[DefendOurConstitution1]

The bishops, cardinals and even the Pope seem to have forgotten the teachings of Jesus Christ. I left the Church over 20 years ago as I could not continue participation in a religion that professes to follow Christ and instead is more involved in gathering power and serving politicians on the right. I admire many Catholics who, like these nuns, are fighting to get the Catholic Church back to following the teachings of Christ.

Keep up the good work Sisters!

[ifbbc]

It's time for the "OLD BOYS CLUB" to stick their
heads back in the "PEW".
Since Ladies can be nuns, then the old boys must
be enochs.

[marychgo]

I always thought "Whatsoever you do unto these, the least of My brethren, so also you do it unto Me" was a pretty important part of the New Testament. But I guess our friends who are so concerned about redistribution of wealth (downward) -- but not at all concerned about redistribution of wealth (upward) -- never read that verse....