The Vatican announced last month a plan to make it easier for disillusioned Anglicans, who feel their church has become too liberal, to convert to Catholicism. The plan allows for Anglican priests, including those who are married, to also convert to Catholicism. This stirred speculation that the age-old rule of celibacy for Catholic priests could be rescinded. Not so, says the Vatican. The married priests will join the Personal Ordinariates, the structure set up for ex-Anglicans. They won’t have to be celibate, but unmarried priests who convert to Catholicism and are ordained will have to adhere to the celibacy rule. Only celibate men will be admitted to the Roman Catholic priesthood, but the admission of married Anglican priests will be on a case-by-case basis decided on by the pope. Former Anglican bishops, including married ones, will be able to lead groups of former Anglicans within the Catholic Church, but the bishops will also have to be ordained within the Catholic priesthood. So, it seems the bishops will have to be celibate, even if they’re married, or choose not to be the ministers of their congregations. [Reuters]

So, that priest who organized the Miss Sister Italy contest? Well, his superiors, including the local bishop, weren’t happy with his innovative way of calling attention and praise to nuns and he had to suspend his project. “It was interpreted as more of a physical thing,” Father Antonio Rungi said. “Now, no one is saying that nuns can’t be beautiful, but I was thinking about something more complete.” [Reuters]

Next month, the first beauty pageant for nuns will debut. Anointing a Miss Sister Italy “will be a way to show there isn’t just the beauty we see on television but also a more discrete charm,” said priest Antonio Rungi. “Nuns are a bit excluded, they are a bit marginalized in ecclesiastical life.” But don’t expect nuns to strip off their habits and compete in swimsuit or evening gown competitions. While Antonio thinks that external beauty is a gift from God not to be hidden, the contest will take place online, with people voting for the nun “they consider a model,” he said. [Sydney Morning Herald, AP]