New LCWR statement on meeting with CDF
June 19, 2012
Following a meeting with officials of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR) has issued a statement noting that “LCWR members will continue their careful, prayerful discernment in their geographic regions throughout June and July, and at LCWR’s annual assembly in August.”
The Congregation has called for a thorough reform of the LCWR, the umbrella group that represents most of the women’s religious orders in the US; after a thorough investigation, the Congregation concluded that “the current doctrinal and pastoral situation of LCWR is grave and a matter of serious concern.”
“While the LCWR officers reported that they were able to express their concerns during the meeting with openness and honesty, they acknowledged that the meeting was difficult because of the differing perspectives the CDF officials and the LCWR representatives hold on the matters raised in the report,” according to the LCWR’s June 18 statement.
The LCWR statement added:
Since the release of the findings in April, some Vatican officials and US bishops have publicly claimed that the report is not a reflection on all US Catholic sisters and is directed only to LCWR, the organization of leaders. The board noted that the actions of CDF are keenly felt by the vast majority of Catholic sisters who have elected, and therefore feel a close identity with, their leaders. Moreover, the statements and gestures of solidarity from men religious and from conferences of Catholic sisters in other countries, as well as the letters and petitions from thousands of lay supporters worldwide, indicate that many others are also concerned about how to live as people of faith in the complexities of these times. The concerns they have shared with LCWR will be part of the conference’s discernment of its response to the CDF report.
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Further information:
- LCWR Continues Discernment of CDF Mandate (LCWR)
- CDF prefect gives blunt appraisal of talks with LCWR (CWN, 6/15)
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Posted by: wsw33410 -
Jun. 20, 2012 9:32 AM ET USA
It seems to me that we need a clarification on whom LCWR really represents – is it approx 1,500 women-leaders of some religious orders in the US? or 55,000 nuns living, praying, working and dedicating theirs to Jesus, and in line with the Catholic Church and its Magisterium? “The CDF has called them (the LCWR), the umbrella group that represents most of the women’s religious orders in the US” but “some Vatican officials and US bishops have publicly claimed that the report is not a reflection on all US Catholic sisters and is directed only to LCWR, the organization of leaders.” So, which is it? Getting to a bottom of this should help, I hope.
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Posted by: bruno -
Jun. 19, 2012 10:51 PM ET USA
Isn't this odd? It seems as if they are gauging whether or not they have enough backing to fight with Rome! They must realize they will be shown the door if they refuse to comply with the CDF.
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Posted by: -
Jun. 19, 2012 8:52 PM ET USA
“LCWR members will continue their careful, prayerful discernment..." Even unto the end of the ages? Your time is up.
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Posted by: claire5327 -
Jun. 19, 2012 4:07 PM ET USA
Talk is cheap as they say. Anyone who rejects the Magisterium is not a Roman Catholic, period! No discussion necessary. We don't need them around to contaminate the YOUNG and INNOCENT! When they are able to figure out what their VOW Faith is all about, they can always return to the FOLD!
