Elderly nun sentenced for nuclear site break-in

Last updated on: February 19, 2014 at 7:38 pm by CNA Daily News

Elderly nun sentenced for nuclear site break-in 2014-02-19T19:38:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Knoxville, Tenn., Feb 19, 2014 / 12:38 pm (CNA).- Sister Megan Rice of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for breaking into and causing damage at a Tennessee nuclear weapons manufacturing facility.

The 83-year-old nun was accompanied in the July 2012 break-in by Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed, all of whom are members of Transform Now Plowshares. The three had been convicted May 8, 2013, and received their sentences Feb. 18.

Walli and Boertje-Obed were sentenced to more than five years in prison, as they had longer criminal histories.

Sr. Mary Ann Buckley, leader of the American Province of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, said Feb. 18 that the order is “deeply saddened” by the length of Sr. Rice’s sentence.

“While the Society respects the judicial process and the court’s decision, we had hoped and prayed that Sister Megan’s age, health, and decades of service would have been considered.”

At her sentencing, Sr. Rice had asked the court to “please have no leniency with me.”

Sr. Buckley said Sr. Rice “has dedicated her life to helping others and working toward a more just, compassionate, and harmonious world.”

On July 28, 2012, the three protestors cut through security fences to enter the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, which enriches and stores uranium for nuclear weapons.

They hung banners and crime-scene tape, and hammered small chunks off a wall, spending about two hours in the complex before being approached by a guard.

They also sprayed baby bottles, filled with human blood, on the wall of the facility.

“Sister Megan and two others engaged in a peaceful protest, offering prayer for the thousands who have lost their lives as a result of nuclear weapons,” Sr. Buckley wrote in her statement.

Boertje-Obed said the human blood they sprayed on the facility was symbolic of “the blood of children (that) is spilled by these weapons.”

The three perpetrators said while testifying, according to The Associated Press, that they have no remorse for their act and were pleased to have reached such a secure part of the security complex.

Sr. Rice said “my regret was I waited 70 years. It is manufacturing that can only cause death.”

The three all indicated they felt “guided by divine forces,” the AP reported.

The statement also said that Sr. Rice believes, “with the Church,” that “nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace so desperately needed throughout the world.” The religious community said at the time of Sr. Rice’s conviction that it does “not condone criminal activity.”

The order “has a history of standing up for those in need,” Sr. Buckley added. “We are committed to helping women, children and families by providing educational, spiritual, and social programs across four continents.”

Since the 2012 breach, security officials have introduced numerous security changes at the Oak Ridge facility.

Previous Post

February 19, 2014

Bill to protect state definitions of marriage introduced

Next Post

February 19, 2014 Pontifical academy to address science, ethics of aging

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Peter John James Paul