CATHOLIC Church officials have launched an investigation into the conduct of two of its nuns after they returned from missionary work in Africa to their bases in Italy pregnant in total breach of their callings.
Under the rules of the Catholic Church, nuns are supposed to remain celibate throughout their lives and are sworn to an oath of chastity. However, these two nuns, one of them a mother superior from two different orders in Sicily, who are African, were posted to their home continent as part of their charity mission and came back heavy with child.
One of the women, who is 34, only discovered she was pregnant after she had a medical scan after complaining of stomach pains. On the other hand, the mother superior, whose age is not known, is based at an institute that helps fallen women and their children.
One Catholic Church source said: “There is consternation at this news. It appears that both women were back in their home nations and obviously had some form of sexual encounter.
“An investigation has been launched as they both breached strict rules of chastity but the welfare of their children is uppermost. The most likely outcome is they will leave their religious service.”
One of the women is based in Ragusa and the other about 40 miles away in Militello. Salvatore Riotta, the mayor of Ragusa, said the news has left the village shocked but he believes the news should have been kept quiet.
