Guide to the Mary Ann Sorrentino papers regarding her excommunication, 1974-2018

(bulk 1974-1989)

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Mary Ann Sorrentino papers regarding her excommunication
Date range:	1974-2018, (bulk 1974-1989)
Creator:	Sorrentino, Mary Ann
Extent:	1.75 linear ft. (2 legal size clamshell boxes)
Abstract:	The Mary Ann Sorrentino papers about her excommunication from the Catholic Church consist of correspondence, clippings, and other materials. These papers relate to the practice of abortion, the authority of the Catholic Church over its members, and general discussion of religion and morality with respect to abortion. The correspondence with Sorrentino (who was Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island from 1977 to 1987) includes responses from proponents of both the pro-choice and pro-life movements, Catholics, non-Catholics, public officials, and others. The collection also includes an oral history interview of Sorrentino recorded in 2012 and a Master of Arts in History thesis written by Rhonda J. Chadwick about Sorrentino's experiences.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 90.13

Scope & content

The Mary Ann Sorrentino papers about her excommunication from the Catholic Church include correspondence (nearly all to Mary Ann Sorrentino); photocopied clippings of articles by and about Mary Ann Sorrentino, abortion, and the Catholic Church; the transcript of a meeting between Father Francis Egan and the Sorrentino-Ciullos; a report by Mary Ann Sorrentino; and a few broadsides, pamphlets, programs, and photographs. It also includes the Master of Arts in History thesis written by Rhonda J. Chadwick and 2 CD disks containing an oral history interview Chadwick conducted with MAS on 16 May 2012. The papers document Mary Ann Sorrentino's excommunication, the publicity surrounding it, and responses to it from a variety of people in Rhode Island and across the United States. The issues covered include the practice of abortion, the authority of the Catholic Church over its members, and general discussion religion and morality with respect to abortion. The collection covers a broad range of perspectives, including pro-choice, pro-life, Catholic, non-Catholic, public policy, and more.

Most of the clippings are contained in a binder compiled by Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island; it provides a good overview of the events and issues involved. The bulk of the papers are letters people wrote to Mary Ann Sorrentino in support of her stance against her excommunication. The correspondence also includes two letters from Mary Ann Sorrentino, some negative letters, and letters regarding other subjects, such as the defeat of Proposition 14. Some of the correspondents included clippings, broadsides, pamphlets, or copies of their letters to others. An annotated list of letter writers and contents follows the inventory. Mary Ann Sorrentino and her staff at Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island organized the letters by date and filed most of the negative letters separately; that order has been maintained. Mary Ann Sorrentino donated all of the negative letters she received, but screened the positive ones and did not donate those that she thought should remain confidential.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Sorrentino, Mary Ann
• Chadwick, Rhonda J.

Subject Organizations

• Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island

Subject Topics

• Abortion--Religious aspects--Catholic Church
• Abortion--Press coverage--Rhode Island
• Excommunication--Catholic Church
• Pro-choice movement--Rhode Island
• Abortion--Law and Legislation--Rhode Island
• Abortion--Political Aspects
• Abortion--United States--Public Opinion

Subject Topics

• Government, Politics and Law
• Religion

Document Types

• Clippings
• Transcripts
• Letters (correspondence)
• Oral histories

Occupations

• Political activists
• Feminists
• Health services administrators

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in four series:

• Series 1. Professional papers
• Series 2. Correspondence received
• Series 3. Excommunication from the Catholic Church
• Series 4. Activism
• Series 5. Rhonda J. Chadwick Master of Arts in History Thesis
• Series 6. Oral History Interview

Biographical note

Mary Ann Sorrentino received a BA in psychology from Elmira College (New York) and did graduate research at the University of Florence in Italy. Mary Ann Sorrentino worked as a health and human service administrator, coordinated an alcohol treatment program, and was executive director of Opportunities for Women, before becoming executive director of Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island in 1977. She and her husband, Albert Ciullo, have a daughter Luisa.

One week before Luisa's confirmation into the Roman Catholic Church in May 1985, their priest called a meeting with the family to question Luisa about her beliefs about abortion. Although Father Francis Egan allowed Luisa to be confirmed, shortly thereafter the church excommunicated Mary Ann Sorrentino. Mary Ann Sorrentino was the first person in the United States to be publicly excommunicated for being pro-choice. In January 1986, a priest narrating an anti-abortion television broadcast mentioned the excommunication, which prompted Mary Ann Sorrentino to state publically her criticisms of the church's decision and its stance on abortion. At the same time, debate escalated over a proposed amendment to the Rhode Island constitution (Proposition 14) that would outlaw abortion and some forms of birth control. Articles about the controversy surrounding Mary Ann Sorrentino's excommunication appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country; Mary Ann Sorrentino appeared on the television talk show "Donahue" in February, and "Redbook" published an article in June. In November 1986 the amendment failed. Mary Ann Sorrentino resigned from Planned Parenthood in 1987, began a public relations and media relations consulting firm (mass communications), and continued to give speeches and write editorials and essays.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them. Mary Ann Sorrentino retains all copyright and literary property rights to her writings and speeches; each letter writer owns copyright of her or his writings.
Preferred citation:	Mary Ann Sorrentino papers, Ms. 90.13, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 Fax: 401-863-2093 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Mary Ann Sorrentino donated her papers to Brown University in March and May, 1989. Rhonda J. Chadwick donated her Master of Arts in History thesis and the 2 CD disks of her oral history interview, 2013.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by John Hay Library staff.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Daniel Mejia 2008 November 17

Additional Information

Related material:	RESOURCES BEYOND BROWNMary Ann Sorrentino's homepageMary Ann Sorrentino's blog
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Mary Ann Sorrentino papers regarding her excommunication

Inventory

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