Leave it to Italy to try and address the marginalization of nuns in the Catholic Church by throwing them a beauty pageant. The "Miss Sister 2008" contest, starting in September, will take place on the blog of Rev. Antonio Rungi where nuns from around the world will showcase their work alongside a photo.
But, Rev. Rungi explains--
"We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits," Rungi said by telephone from his town of Mondragone. "But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun. External beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it."
What a shocker that this is happening in the country where prime minister Berlusconi, when it came time for reelection, was quoted as saying:
"The left has no taste, not even when it comes to women...As for our (women candidates) being more beautiful, I say that because in parliament they have no competition."