Nuns Are Now Telling Fans to Ignore the Critics and Celebrate Michael Jackson

The 1980s were, among other things, the decade of Michael Jackson. His music transcended, well, pretty much everything. Race, gender, age, religion — it just hit. And while the internet loves to remind us that nothing is universally beloved, there was a time when Michael Jackson felt pretty darn close.

Fast forward to today, and a new biopic, Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, is making waves. And apparently, those waves are reaching the most unexpected shores: a convent.

Sister Nancy's Divine Intervention

Enter Sister Nancy, a Catholic nun with an Instagram presence, who decided her first weekend viewing of the film was worth sharing. Her photos, featuring a gaggle of nuns enjoying the movie, quickly went viral, proving that the King of Pop's reach extends even to those who’ve taken vows of quiet contemplation.

Sister Nancy, clearly a long-time devotee, didn't just share popcorn pics. She shared a message, which, if you think about it, is a pretty bold move for a nun on social media. She urged followers to “Don’t listen to the critics who only want to focus on the controversies that plagued Michael when he was alive.” Instead, she suggested, we should all appreciate his “extraordinary God-given gifts.” His art, she added, “consumed him.” Which, for an artist of his caliber, is probably an understatement.

She even offered a prayer: “I pray for Michael’s soul and thank the Lord for the joy he brought to me in my youth and continues to bring to me and to the world through his amazing God-given talents.” Because sometimes, a little divine intercession is exactly what a pop culture debate needs.

The internet, naturally, ate it up. Comments ranged from “Even the sisters love Michael Jackson now if this don’t show you that M.J was an angel I don’t know what to tell you” to “Most diverse fan base in the world.” It seems when it comes to the King of Pop, the faithful still have faith, and now, so do the actual faithful.