The Ferraro-Hussey Legacy
In “No Turning Back”, Ferraro discusses a quote from Frances Kissling which states, “The Catholic Church, or hierarchy, has never been honest about its position on abortion” [23]. The preceding quotation demonstrates the problematic teachings of the Catholic Church. Whether it is through the idea of unity and truth promoted through Vatican II, or teachings of inclusivity and acceptance, the Catholic Church has not followed through with their promises. When hundreds of Catholic women, some of which were nuns, decide to speak up to issues affecting a woman’s health, they are forced to be silent. Women are omitted from conversations that discuss the church’s stance on abortion, thus perpetuating unethical and inequitable agendas. It was Ferraro and Hussey’s lived experiences, and the experiences of other women, that gave the two spiritual affirmation and enrichment to reexamine their role as women religious. In signing the ad they acknowledged that the experiences, stories, and challenges of all women are unique and important to discuss. The problem with situation-by-situation abortion discussions is the ambiguity of individual experience. Ferraro and Hussey recognize that it is up to each individual woman to choose how to go forward as they know what is best. The story of Ferraro and Hussey's choice to take a public stance on abortion is one worth recognizing. Their ability to fight for what they believed in, while still maintaining their Catholic values sets a precedent for other Catholics. While some may not be as outspoken as Hussey and Ferraro, they have demonstrated what pro-choice dissent looks like in the Church. They emphasize that it is reasonable to think critically about personal faith, question teachings that are unclear, and open up a dialogue with other Catholics regarding these difficult conversations.