ROME — Few people can say the words “beauty contest” and “nuns” in the same sentence without cracking at least some kind of a smile – but Rev. Antonio Rungi is drop-dead serious when he proposes the introduction of a new kind of beauty contest: Miss Sister 2008, exclusively for Catholic nuns.Rungi is quick to assure potential fans that there will be no bikini contest, though.

“We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits,” he assured an Associated Press journalist. “But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun,” he added. “External beauty is a gift from God and we mustn’t hide it.”

With a progressive mind like that, it’s hardly a surprise that the virgin voyage of the theologian and schoolteacher’s sacred beauty contest will take place online, once he’s got the site ready to launch. It’s all part of his plot to destroy stereotypes about the kinds of women who takes on a holy vocation.

Technically speaking, the most likely candidates for Miss Sister 2008 will be sisters… as opposed to nuns. The difference is lost to most of the faithful and unfaithful alike, but important. Although used interchangeably, the term “nun” refers to those women who live a prayerful and meditative life away from society, within a monastery of some sort. Sisters, on the other hand, walk among the real world providing services to the poor, ill, and uneducated.

What matters most to Rungi, however, is making sure the world – especially women looking for steady work, presumably – understands that being old, unpleasant, and unattractive are not considered vital job qualifications by the Catholic Church, especially now that the ranks of nuns, priests, brothers, and monks are not merely low but loaded with men and woman who are way-past-retirement age.

Each contestant will fill out an online profile with information about her life and work – and a photo of herself. Visitors to the still in development site will then have the month of September to evaluate the various candidates before casting their “vote for the nun they consider a model.”

Although Rungi insists that the idea came to him from actual nuns, Italy’s ANSA news agency reports that the association of Catholic teachers is none too impressed by it.
“It’s an initiative that belittles the role of nuns who have dedicated themselves to God,” insists group president, Alberto Giannino.

Whether the women themselves agree is likely not of much importance, but Rungi is allowing each to decide for herself whether to appear in her photo veiled or bare headed.