Nun Suspends Abortion-Rights Advocacy After Reprimand

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 06 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Abortion-rights advocate Sister Donna Quinn of the Wisconsin-based Sinsinawa Dominican order announced Tuesday that she would be temporarily suspending her activities as an escort for patients outside of the ACU Health Clinic in Hinsdale, Wis., a clinic that provides abortion services, after receiving a reprimand from the order, the Chicago Tribune reports. For decades, Quinn has advocated for abortion and contraception rights and helped escort women into the clinic. Sister Patricia Mulcahey, head of the order, said in a statement, "After investigating the allegation, congregation leaders have informed Sister Donna that her actions are in violation of her profession," adding, "They regret that her actions have created controversy."

However, Quinn said the announcement of her reprimand created more controversy. A private meeting to discuss her advocacy is scheduled for later this month, she said. "As a peacekeeper, my goal is to enable women to enter a reproductive health clinic in dignity and without fear of being physically assaulted," Quinn said, adding that she is "very worried that the publicity around my presence will lead to violations of every woman's right to privacy and expose them to further violence."

Quinn noted that the decision to suspend her public advocacy efforts was hers, adding, "Respect for women's moral agency is of critical importance to me, and I look forward to continuing to dialogue with our congregation on these matters as a way of informing my actions as well as educating the community." She urged protesters at the clinic, whom she said "emotionally as well as physically threaten women, to cease those activities. I would never have had to serve as a peacekeeper had not they created a war against women." According to the Tribune, Quinn's reprimand "highlights the tension" within U.S. women's Catholic communities, which are currently the subject of two Vatican investigations (Brachear, Chicago Tribune, 11/4).

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