Canadian consecrated virgins welcome Vatican directive on their order
TORONTO — Rose Marie Fowler was in her 40s when she decided to live a life in the service of God, becoming what the Catholic Church calls a consecrated virgin.
It was a deeply personal decision reached after years of contemplation, she says.
Now 81, having kept her vow consistently, the Edmonton resident is welcoming a directive from the Vatican that states physical virginity is not a prerequisite to taking on the vocation.
“(The Pope) basically said that physical integrity is not the only thing to be considered, and I really thought it was well put by him,” said Fowler, calling the guidance from the Vatican a “wonderful instruction.”