Diocese's Posting of Nun's Trophy Deer Draws Backlash

A Pennsylvania nun has come under criticism after a picture of 10-point buck she bagged was posted on her diocese's Facebook page.

Sister John Paul Bauer is shown in her nun's habit holding the deer by the antlers.

 

Nice buck Sister! #Repost @dioceseoferie: Congratulations to Benedictine Sister John Paul Bauer of St. Marys who bagged a 10-point buck after saying the rosary in her tree stand in Weedville the first day of hunting season Nov. 30. The buck had a perfect 16-inch spread and weighed about 200 pounds. She had it butchered and shared the meat with a couple of local families. #Catholic #hunting #nunsrock #imaginesisters

A photo posted by Catholic News Agency (@catholicnewsagency) on Dec 3, 2015 at 2:41pm PST

Bauer says she had just said the rosary up in a tree stand when she killed the 200-pound buck Nov. 30.

The high school theology teacher says it was the biggest of the three bucks she has killed in her 15-year hunting career.

Initial comments were largely positive. But as the page neared 1.5 million views, the Erie Diocese said Monday animal rights activists complained, vulgar comments were posted and it decided to take down the post.

Bauer had the buck butchered for sausage and steaks and shared it with two families.