About time
Musings of a Pertinacious Papist posts and article by Pieter Vrie from the New Oxford Review (with permission) that has some interesting insights into the apostolic visitation of U.S. women's religious orders
That a national leadership conference should be the subject of a doctrinal inquiry by the Holy See is "virtually unprecedented," says the always informative Vatican insider John L. Allen Jr. (National Catholic Reporter, May 1), because such tasks are commonly left to the competence of national bishops' conferences. Moreover, that the CDF, the highest doctrinal office in the Church, is spearheading the investigation -- as opposed to the CICLSAL, which has jurisdiction over religious orders -- suggests that Rome has grave concerns about the theological currents emanating from the LCWR's assemblies. Here is one instance in which Benedict's curious selection of William Cardinal Levada as prefect of the CDF will be of benefit: The American cardinal should have no trouble decoding "nuance" in the LCWR material to be scrutinized.
The rampant dissent in religious orders is not exactly a well kept secret. These religious communities were unable to correct since their leadership had succumbed to the same disease for the most part. The U.S. Bishops also failed to act and to do anything meaningful in this regard. It is too bad the Vatican had to step in and that says a lot.
Seems a bit blunt, but the truth is often that way. Though we must not forget the blossoming of religious life that are built of rock and not the shaky ground warned about. Where Christ and his Church is loved we have wonderful examples. Or course what is true for religious life is true for all of us. The guilty conscience of the LCWR will decry this as an inquisition, though I am sure wolves aren't happy either when the shepherds show up.
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Religous orders of nuns have gone seriously off track but I don't think Sister Chittister and her friends are running scared - they will just continue to ignore the magisterium and the episcopate or relocate to where there is a sympathetic bishop. One nun in my area requested donations for a new $10,000 kiln so she could continue her pottery ministry. Another nun-postulant said what the church was against abortion because of all the old men running the show.If you want to try Reilki or some New Age spirituality you will find several choices at places within 50 miles of my neighbourhood - all run by nuns and I am sure it could be said of just about anywhere. It's an obedience problem at the heart, don't you think?
Yes, Bo -- I do think obedience/anti-authority has declined since the '70's, but also, humility. It's better to be clever, cute and sarcastic in our culture than humble.
You know, Bo, that really can't be said of our diocese. I think because we're a small diocese in the South, we've been spared or thankfully overlooked by the Sister Chittisters of the world. I just have to LOL at The Anchoress' recent post about these nuns "birthing" a new way of being into the Church that seems to be the world's longest gestation...about 40 yrs without discernable fruit (except spoiled) at this point.
We have a Goddaughter who is 23 yr old recently professed to the Nashville Dominicans. That the Sister Chittisters can't compare the beautiful young faces of this and similar orders to their own and wonder what is wrong with this picture is just more evidence that sin makes you blind.
You know, Bo, that really can't be said of our diocese. I think because we're a small diocese in the South, we've been spared or thankfully overlooked by the Sister Chittisters of the world. I just have to LOL at The Anchoress' recent post about these nuns "birthing" a new way of being into the Church that seems to be the world's longest gestation...about 40 yrs without discernable fruit (except spoiled) at this point.
We have a Goddaughter who is 23 yr old recently professed to the Nashville Dominicans. That the Sister Chittisters can't compare the beautiful young faces of this and similar orders to their own and wonder what is wrong with this picture is just more evidence that sin makes you blind.
The dissenting left aren't the only ones getting an apostolic visitation. The Legionnaires emphasize obedience to one's superiors and yet they too seem to need serious reform.
Another nun-postulant said what the church was against abortion because of all the old men running the show
They managed to get a postulant? Interesting.
If as a number of the dissident nuns have said, that they have moved beyond the Church, then for heavn's sake I say get moving. In fact, get gone!
Why hang around and bring scandal to more of the laity? They were asked to reform not rework the very foundations of religious life!!!
I say bye, bye and be assured of my prayers.
KvK
Yes obedience seems to be central to the issue. Those nuns obeying their vows and reflecting the teaching of the magisterium by word and deed have nothing to fear from a Vatican visitation .
It all gets back to humility and surely the Blessed Mother is a wonderful role model here.
Pride is such an intoxicating and subtle temptation at times.