Review: “To Speak the Truth in Love”

The following book review originally appeared in the Fall 2019 issue of New Women, New Church.

Forty years ago, Theresa Kane stood up in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, to greet Pope John Paul II on behalf of the sisters of the United States and spoke the truth in love, urging him to consider “the possibility of women as persons being included in all ministries of our Church.” The impact of this simple phrase resounded beyond the dome of the basilica and the zone of the beltway to echo throughout the Catholic world, continuing to inspire people to this day. Like many others whose actions on behalf of justice seem “simple” and spontaneous, Kane’s words had actually been carefully prepared. Not only had her life of prayer and service given her perspective and courage, but, as she says, this papal message became a focus for her life going forward (p.246). As Dolly Pomerleau commented, “she did it purely out of conviction and out of love for the church and the people in the church.” (p.17)

Christine Schenk’s biography, To Speak the Truth in Love, details the source of Kane’s conviction and the depth of her love for both the church and the people, especially those who are marginalized and needy. Close examination of her family life, her vocation, her experiences throughout her tenure as a Sister of Mercy help us understand the evolution of a woman who can say, “the gift of gender equality is, to me, just a basic core thing that is part of the sacred beliefs” (p.114). We get to know Sr. Theresa Kane well during the course of this carefully researched book.

But because Theresa Kane entered the order of the Sisters of Mercy at a pivotal time after Vatican II, when many changes in all religious orders were beginning to take effect, this book also serves as a window into an exciting time of change in Catholic history. As Joan Chittister summarized in her speech to the LCWR in 1977, “the old vision says that the vow enables us to show what we are against…the new vision says that the purpose of vows is to be for something….the old vision …says the purpose is to transcend the world, to withdraw…the new vision says that the purpose of a religious is to transform the world, like Christ…”(p.108) Theresa Kane lived this “new vision”, believing that the “primary responsibility of leadership is to effect social change.” (p.128)

Kane had been chosen to address the Pope because of her position as new president of LCWR. Although her electrifying statement was monumental and controversial, it was hardly the only accomplishment of her time in this position. This book enables us to see behind the scenes into some extremely delicate and complex negotiations that Kane and her administrative team had to navigate – on the issue of trying to dialogue about tubal ligations in Catholic hospitals, on the concept of understanding the role of religious congregations within the Church, and later about the issue of religious serving in political offices. The skillful diplomacy and tact shown in the leadership team’s dealings with the multiple players of religious orders, bishops and Vatican officials is quite remarkable.  Throughout many setbacks and betrayals, Theresa persevered in the pursuit of truth without bitterness, convinced that criticism, suffering and rejection only served to make one more capable of identifying with the poor and vulnerable.

For those who remember Vatican II and Theresa Kane’s “moment” in the basilica, this biography will be a welcome review of an exciting period in the American Church, with many poignant details enhancing the story. For those who are in the generations following this moment, this biography adds another page in the long struggle for gender equality in the church and in the world.  For all, we come away understanding (as Joan Chittister writes in the poem which prefaces the book) that Theresa Kane:

Showed a kind of courage
That gave courage to others;
Told a kind of truth
That kept others honest;
Had the kind of power
That empowered the powerless.

Christine Schenk, CSJ. To Speak the Truth in Love, A Biography of Theresa Kane, RSM. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2019. ISBN 9781626983458 (print) ISBN 9781608338092 (ebook).

Editor’s Note:  Sr. Theresa Kane has been a member of Women’s Ordination Conference since its inception and currently serves on WOC’s Advisory Board.  Sr. Theresa was a keynote speaker at the 2015 Women’s Ordination Worldwide Conference in Philadelphia, just three days before Pope Francis arrived there.  During her presentation at the conference, Theresa once again addressed a Pope, reiterating her conviction that “anything less than all women in the Catholic community having the possibility of being in all ministries of our church is not only a deficit, not only wrong; it is a scandal to our church and world.” (p.271)