The story of the nuns who abandoned the habit and are now a couple

Federica and Isabel, both 44 years old, were nuns when they met. They worked together at a recovery center for drug addicts in Italy. The two preferred not to reveal their surnames or photos, but decided to tell their story to the Italian press, as they fight against discrimination against homosexuals by the Catholic Church. Further personal details were also kept secret and it is only known that Federica is from southern Italy and Isabel is from South America.

🇧🇷God wants to see people happy, living love fully. We are asking our church to welcome everyone who loves each other”, said Isabel to the newspaper La Stampa. She and Federica got married a few weeks ago, in Pinerolo, a town near Turin.

The formalization ended up being postponed at the last minute, to avoid press harassment. “It was a very simple ceremony. It was their celebration and I am very happy to have helped them to fulfill that wish”, said Luca Salvai, who ministered at the wedding. This is only the second same-sex union held in Pinerolo, as same-sex marriage was only officially legalized this year in Italy.

In addition to the civil union, the two also revealed that they were going to hold a symbolic religious ceremony, but preferred not to disclose the date. The blessing would be given by the former priest Franco Barberoknown for his fierce criticism of the Catholic Church and for being officially removed from the clergy in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. “They got to know each other little by little and, in the end, they discovered deep feelings. It’s like any other love story.”, Barbero told La Stampa. He also revealed that this is not the first time he has performed a wedding between two former nuns.

The brides may have abandoned the habit in the name of love, but they guarantee that they will not leave the faith aside. “We don’t want to become celebrities, but just live together in peace. We are leaving the convent, but we are not abandoning the church and we are not going to forget our faith”, said Federica.

It is worth remembering that, recently, Pope Francis declared that the Church should ask forgiveness from homosexuals. “They must not be discriminated against, they must be respected and accompanied pastorally”, said the head of the Catholic Church in June of that year. It’s the new times!