Radical Grace

By serving people in need, nuns have always been the heart and hands of the Catholic Church, often becoming savvy social justice activists in the process. In Radical Grace, the new documentary narrated by Susan Sarandon, we meet three American nuns who find themselves branded as "radical feminists" and censured for insubordination by the Vatican. Sister Chris Shenk, who trained with Cesar Chavez, is organizing for a future Church with women deacons. Sister Jean Hughes offers unconditional love in her daily work with ex-cons and the poor. And Sister Simone Campbell lobbies for the Affordable Care Act as humanitarian policy, despite Church opposition to birth control and abortion. Each woman faces possible excommunication and the loss of her identity, but a glimmer of hope ignites when liberation theologian Pope Francis gains office. Whether speaking before congressional representatives or facing angry Bishops, these sisters risk it all for the higher calling of social justice. (Mill Valley Film Festival)