American nuns vow to fight Vatican criticism
Sister
Claudia Bronsing takes part in a vigil at St. Colman Church in
Cleveland, Ohio, in support of Catholic nuns who were criticized by the
Vatican.
The American
nuns who were slammed by the Vatican in April for
featuring "radical feminist" beliefs are fighting back, asserting that the
criticisms against them came from "unsubstantiated accusations” and a “flawed
process,” reports the New York Times.
The nuns issued
a statement after six weeks of virtual silence, during which their religious
communities across the country mulled over the Vatican’s startling pronouncement,
and Catholics across the country rallied to support the nuns. The Vatican had
announced it would dispatch three American bishops to lead a complete makeover
of the sisters’ principal organization, the Leadership Conference of Women
Religious, which represents about 80 percent of the nation’s 57,000
nuns.
After three days
of discussion and prayer in Washington this week, the 21 national board members
of the group decided they could not accept the Vatican’s verdict, and would send
their president and executive director to Rome on June 12 to open a dialogue
with Vatican officials, the New York Times said.
HIGHLIGHTS
"We do want to
go and speak the truth as we understand it about our lives," said Sister Pat
Farrell, president of the leadership conference, adding that the sisters had
been "stunned by the severity" of the Vatican's judgment.
Newser
Farrell
particularly took issue with the accusation they had promoted "radical feminist
themes." “Here you see women, very competent, highly educated, doctorates in
theology, masters in ministry, CEO’s of hospitals, heads of school systems,
being treated as if they were children,” said Sister Christine Schenk, leader of
a liberal reform group. “That in itself goes to the issue of where are the women
in the decision-making structures in Rome.” Newser
The Vatican
investigated the group for more than two years and concluded in April that the
organization has "serious doctrinal problems," including taking positions that
conflict with the American bishops and undermine Catholic teaching on the
all-male priesthood, marriage and homosexuality. The Seattle
Times
The nuns' group,
along with many sisters who work in health care disagreed with the bishops'
analysis of the law and supported President Barack Obama's plan. The report
praised the group's social justice work, but said they hadn't spoken out on
abortion and other important teaching. The Seattle Times
Vigils and
protests defending the sisters have been held nationwide, including in front of
the Vatican's U.S. embassy in Washington, and have coursed through Facebook and
Twitter. Last Wednesday in the Cleveland area, more than 650 people attended a
rally in support of the nuns at a parish, the Plain-Dealer reported. The Seattle
Time
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