I have admired and cherished very much all the nuns I have known over the years. Some of them were quite feisty and militant, and all of them were people I'd want to emulate. But (and please forgive me for talking out of turn, as I'm not a Catholic, so my comments are only from the outside looking in, so to speak) I thought that all catholics must look to the Pope for their guidance and theological rule. As all RC nuns are Catholics, surely they too must do as the Pope tells them? (Have to say, I also know well many C of E nuns, eg Community of All Hallows, and they too have quite militant and forward-looking ideas. But the C of E is a bit hesitant to come down heavily on many current issues. I do wish they'd budge on same-sex marriage and women Bishops though!) In case you haven't already guessed, I long considered becoming a nun, and nearly did!