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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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6 Ark. Nuns Excommunicated

Members of 'Army of Mary' cast out

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(Newser) – Six Arkansas nuns have been booted from the Catholic Church for refusing to renounce the Army of Mary, a sect the Vatican deems heretical for its founder’s claim to be the reincarnation of the virgin. “We know we are doing the right thing,” said an 82-year-old nun. “We pray that the church will open their eyes before it is too late.”

It was the first excommunication in the Little Rock diocese, which had known for years that the nuns were “entranced and deluded” by the sect’s doctrine. The nuns will still live on convent property, which they own, but church officials removed the Eucharist from the building on Tuesday, the Tribune reports. An Army of Mary spokesman called the expulsions an injustice.

The Rev. J. Gaston Hebert, Little Rock diocese administrator, speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Little Rock, Ark. Hebert announced Wednesday that six Arkansas nuns have been excommunicated from the Catholic Church for heresy. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath)
The Rev. J. Gaston Hebert, Little Rock diocese administrator, speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Little Rock, Ark. Hebert announced Wednesday that six Arkansas nuns have been...   (Associated Press)
The Rev. J. Gaston Hebert, Little Rock diocese administrator, speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in Little Rock, Ark. Hebert announced Wednesday that six Catholic nuns have been excommunicated from the Catholic Church for heresy. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath)
The Rev. J. Gaston Hebert, Little Rock diocese administrator, speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in Little Rock, Ark. Hebert announced Wednesday that six Catholic nuns have been...   (Associated Press)
The six Little Rock Catholic nuns were excommunicated for heresy after refusing to give up membership in a Canadian sect whose founder claims to be possessed by the Virgin Mary.
The six Little Rock Catholic nuns were excommunicated for heresy after refusing to give up membership in a Canadian sect whose founder claims to be possessed by the Virgin Mary.   (Shutterstock.com)
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91 Stories


The Vatican casts out the Army of Mary
National Post (Canada)

What is the Army of Mary?
ReligiousTolerance.org

More details from the Arkansas Catholic
Arkansas Catholic

Some of the church's specific Army beefs
Arkansas Catholic


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