A nun, a priest and their vows

Catherine Butler-Burns decided to become a nun aged 17. It was a shock to her parents, they weren’t especially religious by Irish standards of the time and until then Catherine had been having a lively teenage social life. But she chose to take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience because the women she saw “saving the world” were nuns.Catherine took on a role teaching speech and drama at a Catholic school in Scotland where she met a priest called Father Michael. There was evidently an emotional connection between them but it was never openly acknowledged.She lived and worked as a nun for 42 years then - aged 60 - she made a momentous decision. And what would become of the love that had been stifled for nearly thirty years?To get in touch with the programme, or to share your personal story, you can email us at: [email protected]: Catherine Butler-Burns Credit: Catherine Butler-Burns

Om Podcasten

In this series Dr Sian Williams talks to people who have lived through extraordinary events that have set their lives on an entirely different course.This podcast is all about the human experience, how people deal with obstacles that turn their lives upside down. The journeys are not always straightforward and there are often some remarkable discoveries along the way.Would you like to appear on the podcast? Do you have an extraordinary story to tell? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]