A press release — signed by a Catholic religious sister — released just now from the bishops’ conference questions the storyline the media ran with yesterday about “59,000 nuns” supporting this health-care legislation being pushed through Congress by the White House.

Washington—A recent letter from Network, a social justice lobby of sisters, grossly overstated whom they represent in a letter to Congress that was also released to media.
Network’s letter, about health care reform, was signed by a few dozen people, and despite what Network said, they do not come anywhere near representing 59,000 American sisters.
The letter had 55 signatories, some individuals, some groups of three to five persons. One endorser signed twice.
There are 793 religious communities in the United States.
The math is clear. Network is far off the mark.
Sister Mary Ann Walsh
Director of Media Relations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

I’m still waiting for some balanced coverage noticing the statement legitimately representing over 100 Catholic women religious congregations opposing the bill today.