The Nation - News from Dec. 21, 1988

Five Carmelite nuns who have locked themselves into a wing of their convent for 11 weeks to protest changes in their austere daily regimen expect to spend the entire Christmas season in their sanctuary, a spokeswoman said. All sides in the standoff at the Monastery of the Most Blessed Virgin of Mt. Carmel in Morris Township, N.J., said they have no idea when Roman Catholic church authorities in the Vatican will rule on the conflict between the traditionalist sisters and their prioress. The sisters will observe midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and other holiday activities from behind a curtained grating.