A coalition of Catholic nuns from eastern Iowa and other communities along the Mississippi River has once again bought ad time to talk about what they call stewardship. In the past the coalition has sent out public messages about peace and the environment. This time it’s an ad about learning what’s at stake in the election, and being civil about it. A 30-second ad commissioned by the sisters begins with the sound effect of kids roughhousing, and asks “Whatever happened to civility and tolerance?” The “women religious” have a message for voters about learning what the real issues are in today’s campaigns. Their point is that voters should be informed, and also act their age and respect others’ choices. They don’t advocate any position or candidate. The 13 communities of Catholic sisters in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois wrote up their nonpartisan ads to tell voters that their right to vote, and civil political discourse are the backbone of democracy.
