Miss Sister Italy?

It sounds as if it could have been straight out of an episode of Father Ted but according to the BBC an Italian priest intends to organise the world's first beauty pageant for nuns. Antonio Rungi says The Miss Sister Italy online contest will start on his blog in September. "Nuns are - above all - women, and beauty is a gift from God," he told Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper.

He is asking nuns to send their photos to him, saying that internet users will then choose the winner. Father Rungi stressed that nuns were not being invited to parade in bathing suits (for shame!), saying it will be up to them whether they pose with the traditional veil or with their heads uncovered. "This contest will be a way to show there isn't just the beauty we see on television but also a more discreet charm," he said "You really think all nuns are old, stunted and sad? This isn't the case anymore," he said, pointing out that many young nuns had arrived to Italy from around the world.

He added that the idea of staging such a contest had been suggested by nuns themselves...

Hmm.... on the other hand when lined up against the Craggy island v Rugged Island all priests over 75 five a side football match it’s pretty mild!

UPDATE

Sadly FrRungi has cancelled the contest, claiming that his intentions were misunderstood.

“I wanted to make a blog on vocations, one where everybody could bring their own experiences. “I wanted to create a showcase for the pastoral experience of nuns.Instead, they made it look like it was a catwalk a la Miss Italy,” he said. “I have been misunderstood.”

Ah well it was a wonderful if absurd idea!