Tough Questions
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Aug 06, 2009
The mainstream American media is shocked-- shocked!-- to learn that the Vatican has questions about the doctrinal orthodoxy and religious practice prevalent among some women's religious orders.
Wait a minute. We're reading this story in early August. Didn't we read the same story in early July?
Yes, it's serious. The apostolic visitation of American religious orders, announced by the Vatican earlier this year, is asking some tough questions about the doctrinal fidelity and spiritual rigor of some religious orders. Anyone who reads the working document that was made public this week will get the picture: the Vatican is worried that some nuns have wandered off the reservation.
Now is that a surprise? If the Vatican didn't have concerns, there would be no reason to call for an apostolic visitation.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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