^ Note: The above image is of the self-proclaimed “Sisters of the Valley,” who are not actually Catholic nuns as recognized by the Catholic Church. Their actions have been documented by such pieces as Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble’s April 2016 article The Marijuana “Nuns” Need to Give up Their Schtick: The fake “Sisters of the Valley” and their patronizing attitude toward the religious sisters they impersonate.
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On November 9, 2016, the Archdiocese of Boston issued this statement regarding the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts on November 8. Within the brief, yet direct, statement, the Archdiocese reminds the public of the following: “Anticipating significantly increased demands on many of the Archdiocese’s social service and assistance programs, due to the documented effects of widespread marijuana use, we will continue to as best possible provide for the needs of the people we serve.” The Archdiocese of Boston’s multiple social services can be seen within their broader Office and Services Directory.
To read what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about the problem of recreational drug use (and other dilemmas regarding public health), you can read paragraphs 2288-2291, especially paragraph 2291, which states the following:
“The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.”
Featured image is from the Sisters of the Valley, a group of “nuns” with no formal association to the Catholic Church, who produce and sell marijuana in California. Read more about that here.