Nun seeks borough council seat in Pa.

FOREST HILLS, Pa. --After attending borough council meetings for months, a nun has decided to try to become one of the town's decision-makers. "I need to be on the other side of the table. I need to listen and I need to be a voice for the people," said Sister Matthias Wemm, one of four Democrats seeking three open council seats in the May primary.

Wemm, 66, a Sister of Mercy, said she sought permission from her order and from the Almighty to run for the office.

"He says, 'This is your decision. I'm with you and holding you in the palm of my hand,'" Wemm said.

"Politics, from the best I can see, is a pretty rough game, and I said, 'Are you sure you want to do that, Sister?'" said the Rev. John Skirtich, pastor of the St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church in Forest Hills, about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Wemm has taught at St. Maurice School for 21 years.

If she wins, Wemm wouldn't be the first nun to serve in an Allegheny County municipality. Sister Mary Gregory Schessler of the Sisters of St. Francis is a Millvale council member.