Tuesday, August 30, 2011

More Musings From a Comedic Genius

It’s very recent history, but it’s funny as H-E-double hockey sticks, so I have to share it. Twenty or so Cistercian monks were evicted from the notorious Santa Croce monastery in Rome in May on orders from the Vatican. Seems the Pope was disturbed by the “loose living” at the monastery. Before you go judging, one of the salacious details shared with the Vatican included Sister Anna Nobili, a former lap-dancer who taught other nuns her skills and once performed a liturgical dance at the monastery that featured her lying before an altar in a very un-nun-like pose clutching a crucifix. Santa Croce was also an embarrassment for its luxury hotel, with 24 hour limousine service, that catered to celebrities visiting Rome. You simply must Google Santa Croce monastery—from the comfort of your own home during non-working hours, of course—and read all the wild stuff those monks were up to. Not that I’m suggesting it as a model for other religious organizations facing tough economic times, but they certainly had some creative funds development ideas. Lap dancing nuns/selling indulgences, tomato/tomatatoh.

Today’s thought: The downside of being better than everyone else is that people tend to assume you’re pretentious.

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