The Letters Page #5

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At anchor in Delaware Bay,

the warship is manned by a Russian crew

and is first of 31 fighting ships

leased to Russia during the war

that will be returned to the USA.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Graham, I've got a story

you might Want to look into.

A nun is doing some interesting charity

work in the slums near Where you are.

Could make for a nice human interest story

when you get some time.

I'll look into it.

(clears throat)

So, What is it you girls

Wanted to talk to me about?

Mother General,

we've decided that we Want to be nuns.

That's Wonderful news.

Have you discussed this with your parents?

You think they would object?

Well, my mother has already objected.

Why?

Because she doesn't Want me

to work amongst the untouchables.

And why would you be working

amongst the untouchables?

Because, Mother General,

we want to work with Sister Teresa.

Yes.

I see.

I think I would listen to your mother.

- And What about your parents?

- I haven't told them yet.

Because?

Because they wouldn't approve.

I know What I Want to do.

I've already been helping Sister Teresa

in the evenings after school.

My parents Want me to study in Europe,

but I Want to stay here.

I Want to become a nun

and work with Sister Teresa.

Go home and talk to your parents,

and then come and talk to me.

Go.

- Thank you, Mother.

- Thank you.

(door closes)

VAN EXEM:
Mother General

did not approve of their wanting to work

with Sister Teresa,

and she made her feelings known.

From the moment the two girls told her-

(Coughs)

Thank you.

That they Wanted to be nuns

and dedicate themselves

to the work of their former teacher,

a concern about other students

doing the same

began to worry Mother General.

And when Sister Teresa got wind of that,

she wrote me a letter.

This letter.

"Father, I am saddened

as I write this letter,

but you are my spiritual director,

so I must share it with you.

Mother General is afraid"-

that I am a danger

to the Loreto nuns and students.

Every means has been used

to not render any help to me.

She has forbidden them

to have anything to do with me.

(no audible dialogue)

But still the students come.

First, Shubashini Das,

then Deepa Ambereesh, then others.

Every time someone new comes,

there is anxiety at Loreto convent.

That is why I have made pro visions

for those who come

to study at home for the matric

and senior training.

With all they do

to prevent them from joining,

there are more and more girls

wanting to join.

Your Grace, the situation

with Sister Teresa

has gotten quite out of control.

Shes stealing our students,

Your Grace.

A total of 10 of them

have left Loreto to join her.

Did they graduate before leaving?

Some did, some did not.

Give me a number.

Eight of them graduated before joining her.

Two did not.

Well, you should encourage them to graduate

before they join her.

Other than that, I don't see a problem.

They would be throwing away their lives,

their education,

if they worked in places like the slums.

If they wish to become nuns,

they must join the Loreto order

and follow the strict vows that we all do

and the vocation of the order.

What is your opinion here, Celeste?

My opinion, Your Grace,

is that these girls are surrendering

themselves to God one by one

and voluntarily choosing

to serve God through service to the poor,

as Sister Teresa has.

I'm sure this is due in whole or in part

to the influence and training

they've received at Loreto.

What better Way for them to serve God

than to do so at the supervision

of the former headmistress, Sister Teresa?

What is it you would

have me do, Mother General?

The Vatican granted Sister Teresa

an extension

to the original time it had given her.

Your Grace, I would like you to see

that she does not get another extension

and that she be required

to return to Loreto.

No, put them here.

Bandage.

Good morning, Sister.

Oh, good morning, Mr. Gomes.

I see you've put this floor to good use.

Yes. Yes, we have.

Girls and I thank you.

You're a very, very kind, generous man

for letting us stay here.

You're most welcome, Sister.

This arrived yesterday.

I think it's for one of your girls.

Oh, it's for Deepa. Yes, thank you.

I'll make sure she gets it.

- Have a great day.

- Thank you.

- Let me show you.

- Yes, Sister.

(children laughing)

What are you going to do?

What can I do?

(sniffles)

They're my parents, no?

But doesn't it matter

that you want to stay here and be a nun?

No.

They Want me to study in England,

get married, have children,

make them grandparents.

My mother finds this caste system

we have in India acceptable.

But I don't, so she just doesn't understand

why I would Want to go into the slums

and work with the smaller caste people.

She just doesn't understand.

I think you should talk to Sister Teresa.

Talk to her?

She's in a meeting right now

with Father Van Exem.

Come on.

I admire your ambition, Sister,

but the last time the Vatican

approved a new congregation

was a hundred years ago.

I doubt you would stand a chance

of getting approval from the Holy See.

I would like to apply anyway, Father.

Are you not satisfied

with the three-year extension

you were given to continue your Work?

Yes, yes, Father, I'm very grateful.

But when the three years

is ended, What then?

Must I apply again for extension?

And What if they say no?

No, this work is too important to abandon,

and Mother General

is against What I'm doing.

I'm afraid this could have an effect.

They might refuse extension.

No, I have no choice.

I must apply for recognition

as a congregation.

I need to separate now from Loreto.

It's very clear.

How many of you are there?

Twelve. Twelve now, more coming.

The past 10 girls were from Loreto-

students I taught.

But then more came,

and we have doctors and nurses, volunteers.

They come twice a week.

Yes, the more the work spreads,

the more clear it becomes it is his will.

You know, in order to be recognized,

you would have to show cause

as to why a new order is necessary.

Yes, Father, I have been Working.

Here are documents.

And rights of constitutions.

It's a draft proposal.

Do you have a name for this order?

Yes, Father.

The Missionaries of Charity.

It seems well prepared.

I'll finish going through it,

then I'll get it to Archbishop Prier.

Thank you, Father.

Your Grace, she even has the city's

municipal cooperation behind her now.

And a reporter showed up at my office

and Wanted to know how he could get

an interview with her.

I think it's time we demand she return

to her duties as a Loreto nun.

Her applying for recognition

as a congregation is absurd.

Your Grace, she has told me she feels

a separation from Loreto is necessary.

Separation?

- Yes.

- Your Grace.

But What about her obligations,

her vows?

Shes requesting secularization,

an annulment of her vows.

Secularization?

Yes. She feels it's the only Way.

Exclaustration would allow her

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