As strict as my Catholic education was, I can remember moments when I was challenged to think through the obvious and consider another conclusion.

In a discussion about Jews and their failure to follow the "true" faith, I remember one nun pointing out that Jesus was a Jew and remained one until his death. His last act before his arrest was the celebration of Passover. Then she asked what that meant. I remember being dumbfounded. And I remember some children being angry - it wasn't in their power to think outside the box.

But at another time I remember being screamed at because I had asked why the missions were so poor when the Pope and the Cathedrals had gold and silver and money available. Sister Blister did not encourage questioning the wisdom of priests and the Pope. $5 to adopt a little black baby did not make any sense to me. And when the half starved missionaries showed up for two weeks respite it made less sense. They were poor and ill fed and had that strange desperate look in their eyes. They even had to borrow the Church vestments because they had none of their own.

Looking back I see that in high school I was encouraged by some nuns to read and think. They truly cherished the bright ones who showed promise - a little like being Miss Jean Brodie's favorite. I believe they knew what they were doing although I also think they firmly believed I would never lose my faith. My high school was run by the Jesuits which explains a lot.