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MISS SISTER Aug-28-2008 (340 words) xxxi
Italian priest scraps plan for online beauty pageant for nuns
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
ROME (CNS) -- An Italian priest has scrapped his plan to stage an online beauty pageant for nuns after the idea drew criticism from church leaders.
Passionist Father Antonio Rungi canceled the Miss Sister Italy contest and closed his blog Aug. 26 after superiors of his order intervened, informed sources said.
Father Rungi said he was calling off the pageant because it had caused widespread confusion. He said some media had deliberately misrepresented his initiative.
A few days earlier, the priest had announced on his blog that he would host an online contest to determine "the most beautiful sister in Italy."
He made it clear that this pageant would be highlighting nuns who were "beautiful in spirit," by publicizing their lives and work. But he said it would also serve to let people know that many of today's sisters were physically beautiful.
In contrast to stereotypes, he said, modern nuns are not unattractive and sad women who have been "disappointed by life and unfulfilled in marriage." He invited applicants between the ages of 18 and 40 to send photos that could demonstrate their beauty "on an aesthetic and spiritual level."
The winner of the contest, he said, would be chosen by visitors to his Web site.
As publicity about the contest grew, Father Rungi was forced to explain, among other things, that the sisters would not be parading in bathing suits and that the pageant was not a parallel to the Miss Italy contest, which was being staged at the same time.
Among those criticizing the idea was Alberto Giannino, president of an Italian association of Catholic teachers, who said the pageant belittled the real mission of sisters and held the church up to ridicule.
Father Rungi said he was shutting down the contest and his blog in order to protect himself and the sisters from further misunderstanding. He said it was a shame that he had to cancel the pageant, because he had already received a great number of applicants.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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