To Speak the Truth in Love

Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Award: First Place, Biography

In 1979 Sister Theresa Kane, then-president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, was invited to offer a greeting to Pope John Paul II during his visit to the United States. She used the opportunity to ask the pope to open all the ministries of the Church to women. This riveting biography opens with that famous scene, a galvanizing moment that provoked ardent support as well as bitter criticism. During her seven years as president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union, she fought tirelessly for women's equality. Because she would not desist from speaking her sisters' truth, the Vatican tried to remove her from office. Kane persisted with a deep and persevering faith.

Through her story, this book documents an important period of contemporary Catholic history when Theresa Kane and so many other sisters exercised unparalleled leadership in the Catholic Church by speaking truth to power--with love, wisdom, and grace.