St. Bernard’s School of Theology will be hosting notorious dissident, Joan Chittister, on June 25 as part of the Spirit Alive initiative by the DOR. Chittister is famous for her dissent from the Church’s teaching on women’s ordination, abortion, artificial contraception, and homosexuality.

Here is what one bishop had to say about a Chittister appearance in his diocese:

Bishop Barry Jones has indicated that he will not remain silent as an American nun, infamous for her opposition to the Catholic Church’s pro-life teachings and advocacy of female priesthood, preaches her agenda in his diocese. The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch has told his priests that this week’s visit by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister is unauthorized and unwelcome according to The Press, a New Zealand newspaper.

In one diocese, the bishop issues a stern warning about this flagrant dissident. In Rochester, her speaking engagement is actually sponsored by the diocese.

Perhaps this is one reason why 4,000 fewer DOR Catholics are attending weekend Mass since the inception of Spirit Alive.