Post by troubledgoodangel on Sept 21, 2007 12:29:21 GMT -7
Almost two years have expired since the Sisters of Bethany shut themselves in their monastery at Kazimierz-on-the-Vistula, in Estern Poland near Lublin, and refused obedience to the Church. The Sisters have been founded before the Second World War in Poland, and they also have houses in Florence, Irkutsk, and Vitebsk. The information is somewhat sketchy, but the issue is worth being brought to the public arena at this time, given the short time frame left for the Sisters to act. It appears that all this happened under the inspiration of their Mother Superior, and a former Father confessor, both of whom proclaimed themselves "chosen by the Holy Spirit and advised by God." I write about it because I am somewhat concerned for the well-being of these Sisters. Although I am not entirely familiar with the case, it strongly reminds me of the Waco sect of David Coresh, who had claimed a similar "inspiration." It also evokes the Cult of the Sun, whose members committed mass suicide in Switzerland, some years past. When in the U.S., I tried to establish contact with Coresh, in hope to change his mind. My efforts were thwarted by Attorney General Janet Reno's unwise order to the U.S. Postmaster, not to deliver mail to any of the sect members ... and my letter to David was returned to me with an apology ... after they had all burned alive! Like those sects, the Sisters, "under the Spirit's guidance," have came to conclude that "the world, hopelessly dominated by hunger, hate, godlessness and lies, is coming to an end." Instead, they say, "a new aeon is coming, in which they all will be dressed in white, freed from all that is oppression, brought from darkness to light." Other than that, the Sisters have voiced a strong belief in the early Church's "holding all things in common." All this appears beautiful, innocent, and even romantic, and it reminds me of Hugh of Saint Victor's millenarianism, and even of St. Paul. But the case has ruffled some feathers in the Church hierarchy and, as it stands now, apparently, the Mother Superior has been excommunicated, and the Sisters' Order has been dissolved. I have read that the nuns have been given by the court until October 10, to vacate the premises and to pay for the expenses of the eviction, something they staunchly refuse. In the meantime, many parents are gravely concerned for their daughters; and some fear the worst. I heard that Archbishop Joseph ¯yciñski is looking for temporary homes for the evictees. The nuns are almost completely isolated, although the food is brought to them. Like the followers of David Coresh, they are reportedly heard singing beautiful and joyful songs each day. I pray that all this ends peacefully, and may the Holy Spirit help the Sisters of Bethany in Poland to make the right decisions, with God in mind!