Mary Sheeran

Idylls of the Collar

Janene Shannon and Meg Madigan meet in a seminary class. Meg, an ex-Catholic nun, is aiming for ordination in the Episcopal church. Janene, a writer, is auditing the class to read the Old Testament through the eyes of feminist spirituality. The two women become great friends, and Janene joins Meg's church. Even as she supports Meg's struggles with the ordination process, however, Janene wonders about her own call to the priesthood. After Meg is ordained, tensions develop in their friendship, and certain of Meg's actions, combined with church politics, damage Janene's own spiritual path. Struggling with issues of bitterness and disillusionment, Janene must decide whether to fight back - and if she can forgive.