A Tale of Two Political Nuns

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

A little known fact about me that may surprise you — aside from the fact that I was the city diving champ for “8-and-unders” back in the ’90s — is that I don’t write my blog posts in advance.

Nope. Maybe that’s a little irresponsible of me, and definitely maybe not the best blogging practice, but I like to publish real-time posts. I like to be current, have my writing reflect the present moment, and mainly, to let the Spirit move me to write what He nudges in my heart.

And today, the latter is most definitely where we’re at.

Obviously, we’re in the political season with the election looming right around the corner. And two-ish weeks ago were the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.

And I watched both. And there was one thing that caught my attention, through all the fluff, pomp and circumstance on both sides. And that was the stark difference between the two Catholic nuns that spoke at the DNC and RNC.

At the DNC, Sister Simone Campbell – who is also a lawyer – gave the opening prayer…

…and at the RNC, Sister Deirdre Byrne – who is also a doctor, surgeon, global missionary, and retired army colonel – gave a passionate 4-minute speech. (The opening prayer at the RNC was by Cardinal Timothy Dolan).

I watched both of these short clips several times, comparing and contrasting everything from their rhetoric, their demeanor, what they were — or weren’t — wearing, their degree of humility, as well as overall message.

Basically, I was ready to offer some commentary that was, admittedly, probably not the most Christ-like.

And I was stopped dead in my tracks when I read the final sentence of today’s Gospel from Luke 6:38, “For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Checkmate.

Well played, Jesus. Well played.

But in that same reading today, was another passage that hit to the real message I wanted to actually address, that, though contrasts these two nuns, has nothing to do with them personally, or their physical presentation.

Psalm 139: 13-14 – “Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made.”

I read that, and I knew that Jesus was encouraging me to share what He had put on my heart.

Sister Deirdre Byrne, speaking at the Republican National Convention said flat out, “As a physician, I can say without hesitation: Life begins at conception.” What a powerful, quiet strength this small but mighty woman commanded on that stage. She was humbly dressed in her habit, no makeup. This surgeon and former soldier (she served in the army for 29 years), reminded us how when we first met Jesus in the Bible, He was just an embryo in an unwed mother’s womb, who would then be born nine months later into poverty in a cave.

For me, that is the deciding factor. That is what this election — and every election — is about, and has been about: protecting the most vulnerable, innocent lives in the womb. In 2019 alone, more than 42 million children were killed in the womb, globally.

Forty two million. In 2019 alone.

Speaking about her time serving as a missionary in Haiti, Sudan, Kenya, and Iraq, Sister Byrne continued, “Those refugees all share a common experience. They have all been marginalized, viewed as insignificant, powerless and voiceless. And while we tend to think of the marginalized as living beyond our borders, the truth is the largest marginalized group in the world can be found here in the United States. They are the unborn.”

Those babies are the marginalized. Not given a voice. Seen as insignificant. Not even given a chance at life. The unborn are the largest marginalized group that need to be fought for.

It was such a desolately stark, stark contrast to the prayer offered by Sister Simone Campbell at the Democratic National Convention. Though she prayed for us as a people to have a vision, “grounded in community and care for all, especially the most marginalized,” she never once mentioned the unborn. Forgive my candidness, but it felt so inauthentic, as in the same breath, she chided the current state of this nation, as a place in chaos, needing the breath of life from the “Divine Spirit.”

She never said the word, “Bible,” but rather, “The very first paragraph of the scripture that informs the three Abrahamic traditions tells us: The Divine Spirit breathed over the waters of chaos and brought forth a new creation.“

Maybe I’m just a country bumpkin from Ohio, but that is an extremely “high falootin'” way of saying Genesis: 1. It feels strangely as though she’s desperately trying not to alienate the atheist and agnostic members of the her party base. And this “very first paragraph of the scripture that informs the three Abrahamic traditions” — it was when God brought about light from the darkness, and said “Let there be light.”

You know what is dark and needing light?

The abortion industry. Which is exactly what former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director, Abby Johnson, spoke about in her moving speech at the Republican National Convention.

Sister Campbell’s speech – or rather, prayer – it just felt like it was written by the campaign managers themselves. And it came off that way, too.

And one more thing about Sister Campbell…on August 19, when asked point blank on her position on abortion, she refused to take a stand, saying it was “above her pay grade.” But I digress.

It seems I’ve let my temper get the best of me. Let me reel it in, for one last thing.

I fully appreciate that there are other marginalized groups that also need to, and should be fought for. And I do. Wholeheartedly.

But I also fight for the marginalized group that doesn’t even have a voice. The marginalized group, whose supporters are silenced by the mainstream media. Why is it that all of my pro-life blog articles have been censored by Facebook?

Why is it that during Sister Byrne’s speech at the Republican National Convention, CNN translated all of her uses of the term “pro-life” to “anti-abortion” in their translation for Spanish audiences?

Standing up for the unborn and being pro-life does not mesh with the “politically correct” or “fashionable” agenda of today. An agenda, that is certainly in need of some divine light.

I pray tonight that we all reflect on meeting Jesus in the womb of an unwed mother, who said “yes” to life – Yes to God – Yes when the world around her dictated she say no.

She said yes.

What do you say?

This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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223 thoughts on “A Tale of Two Political Nuns”

  2. Well said, Caralyn, and a courageous stance! There are forces (like Facebook) that don’t want people to know the truth. And I think that’s evil. And I get so tired of hearing sanctimonious moralizing from people who claim to be for the marginalized but are bent on destroying the most marginalized of all, as Sister Byrne said. I cried when I first saw and heard Abby Johnson’s account of having to be part of an actual abortion. That’s like living through a nightmare.

    It actually sickens me when pro-abortion people talk about protecting the marginalized. They raise their fist to black lives matter, but abortion amounts to nothing less than racial genocide (don’t even get me started on Planned Parenthood’s racist founder, Margaret Sanger!). 80% of abortion clinics are intentionally put in minority neighborhoods. It’s a billion dollar industry at the expense of minorities. Abortion is the number one killer of black lives in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, abortion kills more black people than HIV, homicide, diabetes, accident, cancer, and heart disease…combined. In NYC, where you live, a black baby is more likely to be aborted than born. The abortion rate for black women is almost five times that for white women.

    Let me also say, I have compassion for those who’ve had an abortion, so this is not directed at them at all. In many ways, they are victims, too. My contempt is for hypocritical powers that be claiming to protect the marginalized, while snuffing out the most marginalized. It’s a travesty of justice.

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    1. THank you so much Mel! You’re absolutely right – there is an agenda at play, and it is certainly not life giving, that’s for sure! makes me so sad. isn’t Abby Johnson’s testimony so powerful?! Did you watch the movie Unplanned? It is her story with Planned Parenthood — it’s available to rent through Amazon — https://amzn.to/2ZwhsSq — and WOW. WOWWWWW. that movie is the most powerful thing i have ever watched. i saw it twice in theaters!! i’m right there with you on everything you’ve said Mel. Especially about having compassion and love for women who have suffered an abortion. They are also the victims here too — most notably to the aggressive manipulation of the abortion industry and planned parenthood in particular. they need love, resources, therapy, and grace. Thank you for this thoughtful response. big big hugs xox

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    1. thank you so much Oneta for your support! it seriously means a lot! i was so nervous to publish this one, so thank you for having my back 🙂 have a wonderful weekend. Hugs and love xox

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  4. I didn’t see these two women speak so I can’t comment on that part. However I can say, the last election I choose not to vote as I felt neither candidate had integrity. And even though I agree abortion is murder, I can’t support a candidate who demoralizes women, lies, is narcissistic, who takes no responsibility for his actions, and who has allowed people to die from a virus while pointing blame. He may ‘talk’ the words of a so called Christian but his actions don’t match.

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    1. thank you so much Ann for sharing your heart on this. Last election was definitely very difficult for those exact reasons. it was a rock/hard place election for me as well. Hugs and love xox

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    1. I also pray for them, too, YB. Though, I respectfully disagree, I appreciate you sharing your opinion. Hugs and love xox

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  7. ATTWN is my amazon smiles charity of choice. Just in case people didn’t realize, if you shop on amazon via smile.amazon.com, it is virtually the same online shopping experience, except that you may designate a percentage of your proceeds to a charity of your choice. RZIM is also one near and dear to my heart.

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  8. Very nice reflection. Sometimes in life, considering our many imperfections, the tipping point usually comes from the little ones many disregard, ironically in our time are God and unborn babies. Likewise, prayers come from the heart where God dwells, speaking about the ultimate truth of the gift of life and not from the mind that tries to please everybody. And yes, I wonder why Facebook considers prayers, reflections, and homilies as violations of community standards? They blocked my blogs for three weeks. Keep your blogs coming and God bless you more, Caralyn!

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    1. thank you so much! you’re so right about that. violation of community standards — it is so sad. Communities used to be BUILT around those things. it is just so sad where we’ve strayed to as a culture. we need prayer more than ever. Hugs and love xox

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  9. Hi Caralyn,
    I am grateful for the bravery you exhibited in your last post regarding the holiness of life. I’ve read so many articles by both pro-life and pro-choice authors that I believe I have a grasp of the various viewpoints. In saying that, I have never been able to agree or sustain the pro-choice side of the debate. I understand a person’s desire to choose what happens with their body. However, that same person never has the right to choose what happens to the body they are carrying inside them. Abortion takes that choice away from the unborn who can never express their choice. I am pro-life because I believe in the holiness of life for all: mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons and especially the unborn without a voice.

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    1. Hi Robert, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this and for your support! i fully agree — the body inside of the woman is a separate, living being, with a separate soul, with separate DNA, his or her own mind and body. And that unborn child has every right to life as both you and I. Hugs and love xox

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  10. Girl, you have been hitting the nail on the head on so many issues! Thank you for taking a stand for God and for right!! We are definitely in a spiritual war right now and I’m very thankful that you are using your platform to speak truth. Stay safe!

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  11. Caralyn I took too long to get to this. Have been babysitting 4 month old Zeke the youngest of our 15 grandchildren. As I like at him and read your post all I can think is how has our country strayed so far off God’s path. And then we all need prayers – for enlightenment and courage. This issue will never be resolved by legislation or elections. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit-the third person of the only God there is – He who wrote the Bible. And thanks. That Holy Spirit is truly working in your heart and through your words. Thank you for all you do.

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    1. Thank you so much John for sharing your thoughts on this. Sounds like you have been super busy!! Wow fun though! Amen – we need prayers for sure. Hugs and love xox

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  12. I become more and more impressed with your wisdom with each blog that I read. But I have read enough of them to know that there was a day, a moment, and a cross road where you had to reach beyond yourself and find True Peace, Love and Understanding, the day you gave yourself over to Jesus. That day is the reason for all this day since. You are being used, and it is beautiful to see it in action.

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  17. I appreciate your writing! It is admirable to me that you touch on topics such as this. I am so frustrated with cancel culture & those who are trying to kill free speech. You have my respect for standing up for your values. ❤️

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    1. Thanks so much Teresa. I really appreciate your support. Amen – free speech is something we need to protect at all costs! Hugs and love xox

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  18. You have come to your forefront once again. Your sensitivity is to be admired and you touch the hearts of those who follow you. Thou Shalt Not Kill is not a suggestion, it is a commandment. It is not a political issue, but a personal one. I would like to see it brought up along with the concept of War and peace also. You have waded into a turbulent water and I commend you. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I am forever grateful that my mother chose life.

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  19. I used to vote the way you describe, because abortion is a huge issue in my mind. But I did some research and found that the abortion rate was consistently lower during Democratic presidencies than under Republicans. I had voted Republican mainly on that issue for 30 years. And I came to understand that, even though I disagree with most of the Democratic rhetoric about abortion, they were actually preventing abortion much more effectively. The data is there on the CDC website for you to see. I had to swallow hard and realize that all my intended good actually resulted in more abortions. I’m not a Democrat, but I also no longer assume that voting Republican is a pro-life vote.

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  20. I share your concern for the unborn for the cruelties of the human race against itself and also for the lack of deep truthfulness within the heart of those who feel called to take any kind of political leadership these days. Maybe it comes down to this. The best way to lead others is to put Christ first the best way to serve others is to serve the Lord first.

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  23. Your comparison of what the two nuns said and didn’t say, was spot on. Sometimes it is hard to zero in on what wasn’t said, when the tone and manner was polite and inviting. I applaud you for your excellent blog post. I concur, 100%. Ann (AECRM)

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  24. Neither party represents Jesus. One nun may have spoken to the value of the lives of the unborn, but to call care for the marginalized and discriminated-against ‘vague’ is unfair as well. We are called to love not just the unborn but the marginalized, the downtrodden, the oppressed, the broken and forgotten too. Being pro-life should not end at birth. This isn’t an ‘either-or’ situation but a ‘both-and’ situation.

    That said, I would make clear that I am not advocate of Mr. Biden. But, I struggle to know where to begin to speak about how anti-Christian Mr. Trump is. He makes a mockery of our faith and our Lord. Simply, I cannot fathom how any followers of Christ can support a man who has shown how wicked he truly is time and time again (and anything but Christ-like); as the Word says, “You will know them by their fruit.” So what fruit has Mr. Trump brought forth?

    That is only to mention his spiritual failings. He also has a strong fascist bent, and I find it truly terrifying that my fellow Christians have cheered on this penchant for authoritarianism in the hopes of creating a Christian state, one that, ironically, would be Christian in name alone. Perhaps that is why Christianity is declining so steeply in America: Christians who do not live Christ. To quote Brennan Manning, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” Far too many American Christians worship a ‘god’ made in their own image rather than making their own image after God.

    In spite of that, I will not be voting for Mr. Biden. He does not represent Christ well either, particularly in regards to abortion. More so than Mr. Trump but still not near enough. Frankly, I would not have voted for anyone either party could muster though; I embraced Christian anarchy (a bit of a misnomer, admittedly) many years ago, and the 2016 election, and this one, have only buttressed my belief that no government could ever fully or truly embody the ideals set forth by Jesus. The Kingdom must always come before country.

    In truth, I don’t think I would ever want such a theocracy anyway because more than likely it would end up as it has with Mr. Trump: Christ weaponized, currently used as a whip upon the backs of His sheep to drive them off a cliff because they blindly follow an ungodly leader; in time, used to force obedience of state rather than actual reverence of God. Power corrupts. And a “little yeast works through the whole batch of dough”. Christianity has been abused and used as a tool before. We must stop allowing it to be used as a means of oppression and violence. Jesus would have rolled in His grave at the state of Christianity in America had He stayed in it.

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  25. Hi Caralyn:
    I don’t write my blog posts in advance either. I write them as I get ideas, mostly in the form of titles ~ which are usually fairly goofy, at least at first. But that’s not the main reason I’m responding to your post, which was excellent, by the way.

    The main reason is because I want to applaud you for your unabashedly pro-life stance. I also wanted to tell you about a sermon my pastor, Jack Hibbs, preached before the 2016 election, called “What Is the Christian Vote?” It’s the best sermon I’ve ever heard on how to vote using your Christian worldview as a guide. It’s an hour and 15 minutes long, which is a long time, but it’s well worth your time to listen to it. Here’s the link:

    Even though this sermon was preached before the election in 2016, it’s just as valid now before this upcoming election. I really hope you take the time to listen to it. It can be used to vet any political party or candidate, to see if they’re someone you want to follow or vote for.

    I love your blog and I look forward to reading your posts every week. You always have uplifting and encouraging things to say. I think your blog is my favorite of all the blogs I follow, at least partly because we think alike on so many things!

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    1. hi Sarah, thank you so much for your support and encouraging words. they truly mean so much. YOu’re right – it is definitely nerve wracking to stand up as pro-life these days, but those voiceless vulnerable babies need our voice! oh wow – i will definitely watch that sermon! i can’t wait! i’ll do it as soon as i finish writing tonight’s post! 🙂 thanks again for such generous words! you’ve made my day! Hugs and love xox

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  29. Loved this article. Amen!!! In my opinion, abortionist kill more that the most powerful terrorist and abortion is genocide! Thank you for being obedient to that which God placed on your heart!!!

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  30. I’ve read your blog and i’ve read the comments. I’ve also been following you for quite a bit of time so I already knew you were a Trump supporter. I still thought that surely after these four years with Trump you would realize that one issue is not enough to justify the other horrors. But all that comes to mind is the pharisees who so strongly believed in their law that they put it above everything else, and Jesus stepped in to show us am I really not going to heal this person because it is the Sabbath? You know your word so I won’t share the other instances.

    Abortion breaks my heart too, but God loved me enough to give me the right to choose and free will to live my life so that it means so much when I choose to live it for Him.

    I’m not writing to change your mind because the Bible has already shown me how unwavering peoples beliefs can be to the point of nailing Him to a cross. But I just wanted to express that it really does break my heart to see how many people here choose “pro-life” as an end all be all above the other atrocities that impact me and my loved ones daily. And that is where white privilege exists. When the president of your country tells a white supremacist group on national television to “stand back and stand by” you can literally afford to say that yes you disagree with some of his actions but the rights of the unborn matter more. So thank you for caring greatly about the unborn black and brown babies, just not as much as when they are born.

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    1. Hi Lauraly, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I can feel the passion behind your words, and I appreciate you joining the conversation. I care about all life at all stages of life: from conception to natural death. I do not agree with President Trump on much his actions, behaviors, and personal rhetoric/history…but he is currently representing the Republican Party, which I do support much of, abortion being first and foremost. Thank you for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  31. It is admirable to be the voice of those who are unborn. They deserve life and deserve to have a voice. I would challenge all those that take this stance to acknowledge that life continues after the womb. Those that can not care for themselves deserve to receive the same care from those who lobbied for them getting here. Furthermore, those born into this world deserve to have a voice. We should be fighting to make sure those less fortunate than us have their needs not only voiced but attended too.

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    1. I read a post earlier about the politicizing of issues. Both parties do it! They take Christian values and use them to garner votes! Now, I know you and many others like myself spend time in the word and are familiar with the laws. What we do know after all our study is that sin is sin! There is no greater sin! And also, the notion that one sin is responsible for the evil we experience each day is irresponsible and not true! The adversary uses each aspect of human immorality to bring about destruction.

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      1. you’re right – the evil one is certainly on the prowl and has absolutly been using the events of 2020 to lead people astray

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