11701 Maplewood Road,
Chardon, Ohio 44024-8482

Dear Archbishop Montalvo, Z This past August I found that the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine who work and minister at St. Vincent Charity Catholic Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio do not wear religious habits. Instead, they wear lay clothing, dresses, shorts, etc. Canon 669 requires these good sisters to wear a religious habit.

First, I wrote regarding this to Sr. Judith Ann Caram who is the president and chief executive officer of CSA Health System, which operates the hospital. Sr. Caram never responded to me. A copy of my letter of 08/11/03 to Sr. Caram is enclosed.

Next, I wrote to Sr. Mariam Erb regarding this. St. Erb is the Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. Mother Superior Erb never responded to me. A copy of the letter of 08/30/03 to Mother Superior Erb is enclosed.

I next wrote to Auxiliary Bishop James Quinn of the Cleveland, Ohio diocese in a letter dated 09/10/03. His Eminence did not respond to this letter. A copy of this letter is enclosed.

I again wrote to Bishop Quinn on 10/12/03 and enclosed more details on the requirements for religious to wear habits, reference to Vatican documents giving bishop governance authority over religious, etc. I sent copies of this letter to Sr. Caram and Mother Superior Erb. I did not hear back from the good sisters but Bishop Quinn wrote to me in a letter dated 10/23/03. With all due respect, I do not understand Bishop Quinn's response. I gather (by reading between the lines) that the bishop was mocking me (I forgive him) and that he intends to do nothing about the situation. Copies of my second letter to the bishop and his response are enclosed.

As a lay member of the faithful, I feel nudged by the Holy Spirit to not just ignore the errors and/or disobedience of either the ordained or religious. I feel compelled, in a spirit of charity and love, to report these matters to those whom can effect positive change or compliance. I am not exactly clear on the next step of reporting this matter so I felt it was best to now bring it to your attention. If this is not a matter that you would directly deal with yourself, please pass it on to the proper Vatican dicastery.

Please express to John Paul the Great that there are many in my family and here in our Cleveland diocese that pray for him continuously. We love him and we love you very much! I will pray for you. Please say a blessing for my family and me.

Sincerely in Christ,

Ronald Smith

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