by Catholic News Service
SINSINAWA, Wis. -- Dominican Sr. Donna Quinn received a reprimand from her order for serving as a volunteer escort at an abortion clinic in suburban Chicago.
Her order, the Sinsinawa Dominicans of Wisconsin, said in a Nov. 2 statement it regrets that "her actions have created controversy and resulted in public scandal."
Quinn said in a Nov. 3 statement that she would suspend her clinic activities. "I want to be clear that this is my decision," she said.
"Congregation leaders have informed Quinn that her actions are in violation of her profession as a Dominican religious," the Dominicans' statement said.
"We as Sinsinawa Dominican women are called to proclaim the Gospel through the ministry of preaching and teaching to participate in the building of a holy and just society. As Dominican religious, we fully support the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death," it said. "We believe that abortion is an act of violence that destroys the life of the unborn. We do not engage in activity that witnesses to support of abortion."
The Dominicans' statement added that the order's leaders would be "working with Sister Donna to resolve the matter appropriately." Quinn, in her statement, alluded to a meeting with Dominican leadership that was scheduled for mid-November.
In her statement, Quinn asked people who protest outside clinics to likewise halt their activities.
"I take this opportunity to urge those demonstrating against women who are patients at the Hinsdale Clinic, whom I have seen emotionally as well as physically threaten women, to cease those activities," she said. "I would never have had to serve as a peacekeeper had not they created a war against women."
One of the women protesting abortion outside the clinic, Amy Keane, told LifeSiteNews.com that the pro-life group was peaceful.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Quinn has, in the past, picketed for abortion rights in Washington and petitioned the pope for a female archbishop.
