American Nuns Still Defying the Holy Father in Rome

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Vatican Crackdown: American Nuns Reject Takeover But Seek Dialogue On Difference

ST. LOUIS (RNS) American nuns facing a Vatican takeover of their leadership organization on Friday (Aug. 10) rejected Rome's plans to recast the group in a more conservative mold, but declined -- for now -- to respond with an ultimatum that could have created an unprecedented schism between the sisters and the hierarchy.

The Vatican announced in April that it was assigning a team of bishops to take control of the LCWR in order to make the organization -- and by extension, most U.S. nuns -- hew more closely and publicly to orthodox teachings on sexuality and theology.

Sister Pat Farrell, the outgoing president of the LCWR, on Friday read the official response that expressed the organization's "deep disappointment" with Rome's verdict. But the statement also said the nuns wanted to keep talking with the hierarchy in hopes of "creating more possibilities for the laity and, particularly for women, to have a voice in the church."

Farrell added, however, that the sisters will reconsider their options if the LCWR "is forced to compromise the integrity of its mission." That indicated that if the Vatican does not relent on at least some of its plans to revamp the organization, the sisters could make good on the threat to disband the LCWR and reorganize it as an independent body beyond the reach of the Vatican.

Stating the obvious, she said the Vatican's mandate over the LCWR "suggests that we are not currently living in an ideal ecclesial world."

The next crucial step in the process will come on Saturday, when the LCWR board is set to meet for two hours with Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, the head of a three-bishop team appointed by Rome to oversee the overhaul of the LCWR over the next five years.

That will mark the first official meeting between Sartain and the nuns since the Vatican takeover was announced. Several LCWR leaders said they hope to establish a relationship -- if not yet a rapport -- that would reduce frictions and lead to a lower-key and perhaps more fruitful dialogue, for the nuns at least.

Sartain is viewed as an approachable bishop who could help steer both sides toward a mutually acceptable resolution.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11/american-nuns-reject-vatican_n_1766852.html

This is not a pope given to compromise, if anyone has read any of Cardinal Ratzinger's (now Pope Benedict XVI) dialogues.

Edited August 12, 2012 by The Patriot

[Darnell 8,478]

I pray the nuns leave the Church.

[X Factor 1,112]

Another controversy with the church - no wonder people are turned off from religion.

[Danno 1,228]

Sure it's just another example of how Liberals cause nothing but trouble and division wherever they nest but beyond that.....

Consider all the extremes of opinion and even opposition the Catholic Church endures from within.

If only the NY Times or NPR allowed the same level of in-house variety of opinion.

The Church has been codling long enough, give these Phony Brides Of Christ the boot.

Anyone have a copy of the vows these women took?

Be nice to see what it is exactly they signed on for.

[X Factor 1,112]

Sure it's just another example of how Liberals cause nothing but trouble and division wherever they nest but beyond that.....

Consider all the extremes of opinion and even opposition the Catholic Church endures from within.

If only the NY Times or NPR allowed the same level of in-house variety of opinion.

The Church has been codling long enough, give these Phony Brides Of Christ the boot.

Anyone have a copy of the vows these women took?

Be nice to see what it is exactly they signed on for.

Most peopel nowadays don't honor vows/contracts anymore. That is the new normal.

Edited August 13, 2012 by kennard

[mox 298]

There's one thing I agree with the church on: you want to be in the club, you play by the rules. Unfortunately the rules are made by men, and women are treated as second-class citizens. But that's what you signed on for, so either toe the line or get out.

Personally, I hope they get out. Seems like these women do a lot of good. Time to ditch that anachronistic old fossil of an organization so they can keep doing good.

[X Factor 1,112]

There's one thing I agree with the church on: you want to be in the club, you play by the rules. Unfortunately the rules are made by men, and women are treated as second-class citizens. But that's what you signed on for, so either toe the line or get out.

Personally, I hope they get out. Seems like these women do a lot of good. Time to ditch that anachronistic old fossil of an organization so they can keep doing good.

An apt description