Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author.

In the second in my series using the theme of the seven deadly sins and virtues I explore Sloth and Diligence. It is difficult to recognize the sin of sloth in the 1966 east end London community of Poplar. In contrast, its counterpart of diligence is amply evident from the very first scene as Lucille and Cyril work to help a newly evicted family get food and shelter. Stepping up with more diligent assistance is Violet and Fred Buckle. Sister Frances diligently seeks better understanding of the world by absorbing modern culture through the perusal of popular periodicals. Nurse Franklin’s diligence is succinctly verbalized. “I admire your diligence” she is told by Lady Emily Clinic surgeon, Mr. Scarisbrick as she requests to observe a D&C.

Still, what could be construed as sloth lurks in the shadows of Poplar. It loiters with arms crossed as the Clarkes, a black immigrant family is tossed into homelessness. It prowls through occupied damp tenement houses where babies sleep with vermin.

It is said that sloth is the most misunderstood of the deadly sins. More than just laziness, it is more accurate to describe it as apathy. Sloth has also been described as a sin of omission of desire or performance. It can take shape in the neglect to challenge righting a wrong, particularly when that wrong is too difficult or grievous to fight. That specifically gives rise to the thought that a factor in many cases of social injustice is a form of sloth. Social injustice is so deeply ingrained into the fabric of our society that it is difficult for even the best intentioned to grapple with the enormity of its complexities. Its dismantling seems so inconceivably impossible. It is so much easier to simplify a problem and a solution, or ignore that which does not personally impact one’s self and community. Finding real solutions and effective change is so much more work. It requires so much diligence.

Midwives in Detroit in 2021, just as in the east end of London in 1966, continue to witness the deadly consequences of social injustice. The poor, homeless and sick are often labeled with sloth or laziness and blamed for their condition. Women, in the form of gender injustice continue to carry the blame and trauma for their reproductive function. Just like Trixie, modern midwives will continue to observe and report what they witness with diligence. Once witnessed, the sins of apathetic cultural sloth are difficult to unsee and harder to ignore. As a profession within our professional and educations institutions, midwives are diligently seeking ways to address this sloth of culture. Apathy has no place in the face of injustice. All midwives hope that the credibility and diligence of our witness will carry enough weight to balance the scales of justice and deliver good works.

All the above is a modern take on this ancient religious concept. Historically, sloth referred to lack of attention to spiritual duties. It was a call to parishioners to be active in their faith by volunteering in the Church or suffer the consequences. The demand to do “good works” was both a plea for religious relevance and a warning against apathy. Even early on, diligent theologians recognized the parallels between sloth and depression. Today we understand how doing good deeds releases endorphins and dopamine to lift the spirit. Midwives and all social activists understand that a demand to action is needed to alleviate the cultural sloth, apathy and depression shrouding our culture.

Despite her current malaise, Sister Monica Joan is no slothful sinner. I am patiently and faithfully waiting for the action, the movement, the spark of soulful and diligent memory that will ignite her spirit once again.