Dominican Nun's Remarks on Mary's Virginity Spark Fury and Death Threats
In the often serene world of Catholic theology, a single television appearance can ignite a firestorm. On January 29, 2017, Sister Lucía Caram, an Argentine-born Dominican nun residing in a convent in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain, appeared on the Spanish talk show Chester in Love. Hosted by journalist Risto Mejide, the program delved into themes of sex, faith, and personal expression. What began as a candid discussion on human sexuality quickly escalated into one of the most controversial moments in recent Catholic media history, as Caram's comments on the Virgin Mary challenged a core dogma of the faith.
The Interview and the Provocative Statement
Sister Caram, a 60-year-old theologian, writer, and social activist known for her progressive views and a substantial social media following—over 183,000 on Twitter at the time—entered the show to explore the intersection of spirituality and intimacy. The conversation turned personal when Mejide probed her own experiences as a celibate nun, leading to broader reflections on love and the body as gifts from God.
The pivotal moment came when the discussion touched on the Holy Family. Caram, speaking thoughtfully, suggested a more humanized view of Mary and Joseph. "I think Mary was in love with Joseph and that they were a normal couple—and having sex is a normal thing," she stated plainly. She elaborated that the emphasis on Mary's perpetual virginity felt like an "invented rule" that obscured the "true message" of Christianity, which she saw as one of inclusive love and acceptance. Caram emphasized that sexuality is a divine endowment, essential for self-expression, and not something to be shrouded in taboo.
These remarks directly contradicted the Catholic doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity, a belief enshrined since the early Church and formally proclaimed at the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD. According to this teaching, Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus, a tenet shared by Catholic and Orthodox traditions alike. Caram's words implied that Mary and Joseph likely consummated their marriage, portraying them as an ordinary couple rather than adhering to the mystical ideal of eternal virginity.
The nun was quick to affirm the virgin birth of Jesus itself, clarifying that her intent was not to deny the Immaculate Conception but to humanize sacred figures. However, in the heat of live television, her phrasing struck many as a outright denial of a foundational Marian dogma.
The Immediate Backlash and Ecclesiastical Response
The broadcast aired on Cuatro, a major Spanish network, and the reaction was swift and ferocious. Within hours, social media erupted with outrage from Catholics worldwide. Hashtags like DefrockThisNun trended in Spain, and conservative commentators labeled Caram a heretic, accusing her of mocking the Council of Trent and even denying original sin in past statements. Blogs and forums, such as those from traditionalist Catholic sites, amplified the fury, portraying her as a "Marxist militant" undermining Church authority.
The official Church response was equally prompt. Román Casanova, the Bishop of Vic—overseeing the diocese where Caram's convent is located—issued a stern statement the following day. He reaffirmed that "the belief that Mary was a perpetual virgin forms part of the faith of the Church from its beginnings," citing its proclamation at the Second Council of Constantinople as the "primary Marian dogma observed by Catholic and Orthodox Christians." The bishop's words underscored that such views "do not conform to the faith of the Church," distancing the institution from Caram's perspective without naming her directly.
Further condemnation came from the Dominican Federation of the Immaculate Conception, representing monasteries in Spain, Argentina, and Chile. In a joint declaration, they deemed her media appearances "not compatible" with her contemplative vocation, especially when they appeared to "deny and ridicule the most sacred truths of our Catholic faith." This federation, which includes Caram's own order, highlighted the tension between her public persona as a fiery commentator and her religious commitments.
Death Threats and the Nun's Defense
As the story spread beyond Spain—to outlets like The Guardian, The Irish Times, and Fox News—the backlash turned personal and perilous. Caram revealed that she received a torrent of death threats via email, social media, and even phone calls. "I've had to deal with fragmented, ideological, and perverse interpretations," she told reporters, her voice steady but weary. The threats, often laced with vitriol against her Argentine heritage and perceived liberalism, forced her to heighten security measures at her convent and limit public engagements temporarily.
In a subsequent interview, Caram issued a measured apology: "I apologize to anyone who felt offended by my words." Yet she stood by the essence of her message, arguing that the controversy stemmed from a willful misreading. "Sexuality is a God-given part of every individual," she reiterated, framing her comments as an invitation to reclaim the Gospel's radical message of love over rigid doctrine. Supporters, including some progressive Catholics, praised her courage in addressing sex-positivity within faith, while critics saw it as another example of her pattern of provocation—previous controversies had involved defenses of homosexuality and critiques of Church hierarchy.
The incident highlighted deeper fault lines in the Catholic Church: the clash between traditional orthodoxy and modern interpretations of scripture and tradition. For many, Caram's words reopened debates on whether doctrines like perpetual virginity are essential truths or cultural constructs. Seven years later, in 2024, she would meet Pope Francis in a private audience, a nod to her enduring influence despite the scars of 2017.
Sister Lucía Caram's story remains a stark reminder of the perils of theological candor in the public eye. In questioning the untouchable, she not only survived threats to her life but also sparked a global conversation on faith's human dimensions.
Source:
- The Guardian: "Nun receives death threats for suggesting Mary was not a virgin" (February 2, 2017)
- The Irish Times: "Nun receives death threats after suggesting Mary was not a virgin" (February 2, 2017)
- Catholic Herald: "Pope Leo receives controversial Dominican nun in private audience" (2024)
- Church Militant: "Did Celebrity Nun Out Vatican’s Doctrine Czar as Gay?" (undated, referencing 2017 event)
- Fox News Insider: "Spanish Nun Blasted for Comment Suggesting Virgin Mary Wasn't a Virgin" (February 3, 2017)
- RT: "Nun shocks Church by suggesting Jesus’s mother wasn’t a virgin" (February 1, 2017)
- Daily Mail: "Nun gets death threats for suggesting Mary wasn't a virgin" (February 1, 2017)
- The Local Spain: "Spanish nun sparks outrage with suggestion that Virgin Mary may have had sex" (February 1, 2017)
- National Catholic Register: "Dominican Nun Speaks in Favor of Homosexuals Being Able to Marry in the Catholic Church" (September 22, 2023, referencing 2017)
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/world/celebrity-catholic-nun-rebuked-church-suggesting-virgin-mary-might-sex/
http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/02/02/nun-bombarded-with-death-threats-over-controversial-remarks-about-the-virgin-mary/
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