No reason at all
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Leaders representing 59,000 women religious are questioning what they say is a lack of full disclosure about what is motivating the Vatican's apostolic visitation that will study the contemporary practices of U.S. women's religious orders.
In an Aug. 17 press statement, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious also said the leaders "object to the fact that their orders will not be permitted to see the investigative reports about them" when they are submitted in 2011 to the Vatican's Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and its prefect, Cardinal Franc Rode.
In addition, the women religious expressed concern about secrecy they say is surrounding the funding of the study, said Sister Annmarie Sanders, director of communications for LCWR.[reference]
Yeah what could possible be the reason for such a visitations. Scratching my head trying to figure this one out. Could it be rampant dissent to the magisterium? Can't be that. How about widespread support of women's ordination? Couldn't be. How about the massive destruction in religious life over the last four decades with so many orders having few if any novices? Surely not that. How about the web pages for most religious orders looking more like a page for some left wing advocacy group than a Catholic religious order? No, just because they seem to pay a lot of attention to the United Nations and none to the Vatican surely could not be a reason. Maybe it is the range of wacky ideas ranging from radical feminism to eco-theology? No, that couldn't be it. Well, what about the fact that there is zero interest in the pro-life cause by so many orders. No, just
- that doesn't mean anything. This is certainly a case of someone in the Vatican holding a grudge for some unknown reason and initiated an Apostolic Visitation.Actually though the LCWR saying this is like a guy driving 130 mph, getting pulled over and asking "Is there something I can do for you officer?"
Even more annoying is Catholic News Service basically passing on the LCWR's news release with no discernment whatsoever.
Known as 
LCWR = dissenting, disingenuous, disastrous.
It is laughable, juvenile and speaks to the character of the LCWR leadership that they should try and deflect attention away from their misbehaviour by fabricating charges about funding and disclosure. The Holy Father is rightfully concerned for the spiritual well being of all religious, even and especially the kooky ones. Can anyone seriously think that good Pope Benedict XVI is motivated by anything but genuine Christian love for the flock of Christ? Ahem.
A faithful christian would enthusiastically welcome an opportunity to profess their faith in Christ and affirm obedience to His Church. Having filled their own heads with nonsense, the are guilty of leading others astray. The LCWR wants to preserve their pagan (i.e., eco-feministic-fantasy-fueled-gaia-glorifying-reiki-reeking-enneagram-exalting) religiosity. Such religious communities are shriveling up because they have pushed aside Jesus Christ: the Way, the Truth and the Life.
By contrast, the vibrant religious orders are the ones which leave no doubt as to Whom they serve, i.e, Christ and His Church. And, they are gaining many new vocations. It's simple folks - by being obedient to Christ and His Church the Lord of the harvest will grant a rich and abundant harvest. Thanks be to God for the rugged young souls entering the faithful groups. Civilization is depending on you!
Well put! Thank you for posting your insights.
They could at least acknowledge that the Holy Father chose a nun to head the investigation. But then, real nuns who wear habits and follow the magisterium are probably considered "the enemy" by these folks. Still, it was a wise and fair thing to do.
It's clear the traditional orders are the ones thriving today.
I have a question. A friend and I were discussing this issue; I'm in favor of an examination, and she feels it's heavy handed. I brought up a lot of what you raised above, Jeff, and she agreed the Church ought to be able to set the rules for orders calling themselves Catholic (I know, how novel). But, she raised an issue I had no point of reference for; the reality, she says, of the Church making all the modern orders have to "fend for themselves" after Vatican II, after they dropped the habits, and started working in non-religious fields. Can anyone tell me something about this? I'm sure there is another side, and I'm going to be seeing her again soon. I'd love to bring it up.
Thanks.
It's clear the traditional orders are the ones thriving today.
I have a question. A friend and I were discussing this issue; I'm in favor of an examination, and she feels it's heavy handed. I brought up a lot of what you raised above, Jeff, and she agreed the Church ought to be able to set the rules for orders calling themselves Catholic (I know, how novel). But, she raised an issue I had no point of reference for; the reality, she says, of the Church making all the modern orders have to "fend for themselves" after Vatican II, after they dropped the habits, and started working in non-religious fields. Can anyone tell me something about this? I'm sure there is another side, and I'm going to be seeing her again soon. I'd love to bring it up.
Thanks.
dellbabe68,
There was nothing part of Vatican II making order "fend for themselves". The same responsibilities as before remained. Religious orders have their own hierarchy and together with their leadership they maintain their orders. Unfortunately the leadership also went off the rails and so there was little guidance in this time. It was a time or reinventing everything and losing track of the charism of their orders. You can't blame the Vatican for not micro-managing the religious orders. An Apostolic Visitation of this type is a rare thing in that they would rather the orders reform themselves. The document regarding religious life from Vatican II was not some radical document changing everything, but looking at prudential ways for orders to adapt. So they can't have it both way in blaming the Vatican for letting them fend for themselves and attacking them for investigation the present state of religious life here.
Spare a thought and a prayer for elderly, Faithful religious trapped in orders which have 'gone beyond Jesus'.
With poor leadership and nuns wanting to invent new charisms, I'm not surprised things have ended up as they have.
I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to me that this review is happening. I feel we may have a chance to recapture part of our Church. When you start seeing nuns being pro-choice, it makes you stratch your head in wonder of how the heck we got here. And I think their lack of authentic Catholic teaching has what has made them die on the vine. Didn't you just love the article the times did about six weeks ago where the picture depicting a traditional nun in a habit (Mother Claire, who is heading up the investigating) and the other nun in plain clothes, the one who encouraged people to resist the investigation.