Sinsinawa Dominicans Issue Apology

Posted by JOSEPH PRONECHEN

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:55 AM

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa censured Sister Donna Quinn Nov. 2 for working as an escort at a Hinsdale, Ill., abortion business.

Sister Donna was identified in a photo in the Chicago Tribune as one of two women wearing a “Clinic Escort” vest at the ACU Health Center.

ChicagoCatholicNews reported Nov. 4 Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, Bishop J. Peter Sartain of Joliet, Ill., and Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wis., will meet to discuss the scandal and what remedial steps to take.

The three bishops are involved because the nun lives in the Archdiocese of Chicago, her motherhouse is in the Diocese of Madison and the abortion business with which she was affiliated is in the Diocese of Joliet.

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in Wisconsin published a statement that reads:

“Several months ago, the leadership of the Sinsinawa Dominicans of Wisconsin was informed that Sister Donna Quinn, OP, acted as a volunteer escort at a Chicago area clinic that among other procedures, performs abortions. After investigating the allegation, Congregation leaders have informed Sr. Donna that her actions are in violation of her profession as a Dominican religious. They regret that her actions have created controversy and resulted in public scandal. They are working with Sr. Donna to resolve the matter appropriately.

“Congregation leaders offer the following statement on behalf of members of the Congregation. We as Sinsinawa Dominican women are called to proclaim the Gospel through the ministry of preaching and teaching to participate in the building of a holy and just society. As Dominican religious, we fully support the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death. We believe that abortion is an act of violence that destroys the life of the unborn. We do not engage in activity that witnesses to support of abortion.”

Eric Scheidler, communications director for the Pro-Life Action League, said, “It’s encouraging to see the order stepping up and taking responsibility for defending the sanctity of life. In a lot of ways the more exciting thing is the number of religious sisters already devoted to the pro-life cause, praying and actually going out to abortion clinics and offering women the gift of life.”

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