The two-page mandate for implementing the doctrinal assessment includes the following:
1) "To revise LCWR Statutes to ensure greater clarity about the scope of the mission and responsibilities of this conference of major superiors" subject to approval by the Holy See.The mandate is for a period of up to five years "as deemed necessary."
2) "To review LCWR plans and programs, including General Assemblies and publications, to ensure... [they] accord with Church teachings and discipline." Speakers at major programs are henceforth "subject to approval" and certain materials must be revised and reformed.
3) "To create new LCWR programs for member Congregations...that provides (sic) a deepened understanding of the Church's doctrine of the faith."
4) "To review and offer guidance in the application of liturgical norms and texts." For example giving a "place of priority in LCWR events to the Holy Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours.
5) "To review LCWR links with affiliated organizations, e.g., Network and Resource Center for Religious Life."
All I can say is, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Donna Steichen summarized all the abuses of the LCWR mentioned in the doctrinal assessment in her book Ungodly Rage published in 1992. It's only taken twenty years for the men in the Church to come to the same conclusions as this godly prophet. In the meantime, think of all the damage done to the people under the influence of these dissenters.
On the other hand, better late than never. So read the full report and rejoice. The coven of witches running the LCWR is being called out. Do you think they'll obey or rally their followers to withdraw to a moonlit grove in the woods to commune with Sophia? After all, many of these women claim that the priesthood is outdated and unnecessary, their function replaced by the community. Of course, that's not what Jesus taught, but what radical feminist nun ever let a little problem like what Jesus taght get in her way? Pray that the nuns change their tune and sing a song of humility and obedience to Peter's successor. If not, sayonara, old babes, we'll pray for your salvation.
surely, you meant to type 'Reins' in your title, not Reigns? :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to post this comment. Just doing a favor.
leoxiii@me.com
Why bother reforming the LCWR? Just get rid of it. For the first 1,956 years after the Incarnation, the Church got along just fine without it.
ReplyDeleteI guess I (a former Eng. Prof.) am the first to tell you that to slow down or control something is to "rein" it in (not reign). This is, obviously, a frozen metaphor from equitation.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Amen! Amen! Finally the tide is beginning to turn in our favor. Unfortunately, they will not go away quietly. The evil one see his plans failing so expect something drastic to happen and soon.
ReplyDeletemy money's on the nuns
ReplyDeleteThanks to my editors for the correction on reign. I know better (as a former English major and horseback rider) but I posted in a hurry last night. I was eager to get to bed so I could get up for my 2:00 a.m. adoration. Hurry and accuracy never mix.
ReplyDeleteThe Vatican sent Mother Mary Clare Millea over to be the Apostolic Visitator for the American nuns. Three years and God Alone knows how many hundreds of thousands of dollars (which you and I had put into the collection plates for a good cause not for this nonsense) later, Mother Mary Clare finds that things aren’t nearly as bad about these nuns as everyone thought and files a basically positive report. Well that doesn’t meet somebody’s agenda over there and so we get this baloney about lesbians and priestess-wanna-be’s and nuns practicing Buddhism and witchcraft and who knows what else. Good heavens, most of these women are septuagenarians and octogenarians who shuffle around what’s left of their motherhouses hearing mass and praying for the boys and girls they taught sixty years ago in Jersey City and Fall River and East Toledo. Give me a break, I think it is Rome that needs to be investigated. How much money did Dolan and O’Brien bring with them when they got their “red hats?” And how many pedophiles have they let off the hood while they’ve persecuted good priests. From here on out my money is going to the local convent of IHM’s—maybe they will investigate those bums in Rome.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? These nuns haven't been teaching since the 70s. They left their convents and motherhouses to "find themselves." You apparently never read anything from psychologist William Coulson who helped destroy the IHMs with Carl Rogers. He later repented. You can read an interview with him at http://www.ewtn.com/library/priests/latinm.txt
As for hearing Mass, many of these women think THEY can confect the Eucharist for themselves - no priest necessary. LCWR's dissent and apostasy is exactly why the orthodox nuns pulled out of LCWR in the mid '90s to form a new conference. LCWR has most of the old, declining orders; the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) has most of the vocations.
Hey Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh. Take a gander at this. This is the Earth-Day-celebrating, moribund community of Benedictine nuns in my state. (As a side note, did you know that Earth Day -- April 22 -- is Lenin's birthday? Coincidence?) Pay particular attention to their "healing center" and retreats. Pay attention also to the fact that they have no postulants, and no one under middle age.
I'm usually with you Mary Ann but I don't know what IHM's you're talking about. Here in Phillie our IHM sisters are wonderful--examples of good women serving the Church. I'll certainly give them my money before I'll give it to our Archbishop to pass on to Rome My Italian grandmother always said that the fish rots from the head, and so does the Church
ReplyDeleteI'm a convert (I was Assemblies of God and very active in the church too) and I have learned a lot from your blog but you are wrong on the nuns. I became a Catholic because I work in the infirmary for the IBVM sisters here in Iowa and these old nuns are wonderful. I saw how they pray and how kind they are to one another and how they treat us employees. It brought me into the RCIA and the Church I don't know what nuns you know, but I love my IBVMs
ReplyDeleteSometimes I agree with you and sometimes I wonder if you're Catholic. You may have had some nun crack your knuckles when you were a kid, but I love my nuns. I still go over to the motherhouse and visit with the Sisters who taught me 50 years ago. They may not wear veils anymore, but they are still the sweetest women I asked them about what you wrote yesterday and they said you're just a crank. this time I think I have to agree with them
ReplyDeleteI loved the nuns I had growing up. They were good and holy women. I am not criticizing ALL nuns. There are many holy women suffering in their own congregations. I know one who was ostracized because she refused to stop wearing her habit when the nuns switched to pearls and polyester pantsuits. The LCWR is heretical and has been for years and involved in and spreading what the Vatican called "corporate dissent." Read Ungodly Rage by Donna Steichen.
ReplyDeleteMany prominent nuns today continue to attack the Church: Sr. Sandra Schneiders, Sr. Joan Chittister, Sr. Jeannine Gramick, Sr. Donna Quinn (who was serving as a deathscort at an abortion mill), Sr. Theresa Kane who insulted Pope John Paul II on his first visit to the U.S. I could go on. Most of these women are heroes in their communities. The Vatican is totally on target to call for reform of these dissenting groups.
They've got our former Cardinal archbishop (Law) living in a palace in Rome and we are supposed to listen to them about "reforming" the nuns? When they throw that Pedophile protector in Jail maybe. Meanwhile my money will go to the retirement for those IHMs you don't like--they educated my three daughters and did a good job of it and they did it for free because my husband had died and I couldn't affort it
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, no one is saying that the majority of nuns are bad, they are not. The problem is with the LCWR and the type of leadership they try to foist on these sisters. The problem is some of them no longer believe basic Catholic teachings; one has said she thinks we need to "move beyond Jesus" etc. Those are the problems and they are very real. I'm just happy that the Vatican is finally doing something about it. But the reality is that they're aging and aging fast, and the young vocations are going into orders that are actually Catholic, believe Jesus is God, etc. What you're hearing now from the LCWR is just the death rattle of a dying group.
ReplyDeletewell, like who is saying that we have to "move beyond Jesus" I know lots of nuns whose congregations are affiliated with the LCWR and that is not where they are. If it is a couple of wackos then deal with them but don't paint all these women with the same brush like Mary Ann was doing. Heck, the Vatican has got its own wackos but I don't think somebody has to go in and clear out the whole Curia
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
ReplyDeletethere is a problem--reading the blogs and responses to news articles, the average American Catholic trusts the nuns a lot more than they do the Vatican. I am not saying that's good, but after what happened to your friend Father Haley, you should too
A few years ago National World Report had a photo of hundreds of nuns marching in shorts and peddle pushers protesting for the wetlands during the LCWR conference. You NEVER see LCWR participating in 40 days for life or any other pro-life event. In fact, some of these orders are in dissent on contraception and abortion Go on their websites and see their priorities. This is not just a few "wackos." It's entire orders who have traded the gospel of Jesus for politically correct eco-spirituality and Democratic liberalism. http://www.fspa.org/news/ourmagazines/perspectives/ecospiritualityinstenes2008.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scnfamily.org/stand/index.php?categories=Weekly%20Justice%20Highlights
What's wrong with a nun wearing shorts or capris? Or a priest wearing shorts and running a marathon? Professed religious are people, too, and the church seemed to have learned that repressing basic humanity doesn't do anyone much good. It's sad to see that a few are now pressuring the Vatican to reverse the good changes brought by Vatican II. My aunt went into a convent in 1923 and couldn't see her family for five years. She rejoiced when she could put aside her hot, uncomfortable, and restricting habit and spent her life in the service of orphaned and disabled children. I think that nuns protesting for the environment is great! And against the death penalty and working in inner-city areas to stop violence. What I don't see much good in is having nuns cloistered behind some walls, living outside the real world. I would trust a nun who has been living and working among average people far more than I trust the men who've lived lives away from the daily concerns of family and occupation and only get their information filtered through aides.
ReplyDeleteYou don't see many orders affiliated with the LCWR teaching or taking care of orphans. (There are a few.) You do see religious orders affiliated with the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) committed to those apostolates. The Little Sisters of the Poor are a good example. I love those nuns. My mom volunteered twice a week at their home near Baltimore into her 80s. If you want to see the orders affiliated with CMSWR visit http://www.catholiclinks.org/women.htm Many are teachers, missionaries, and work with the aged and infirm. They don't have time to march for the wetlands.
ReplyDeleteAs for deforestation, etc. When CO2 increases in the air, it causes vegetation to grow faster and more lushly. I'm posting a video today about the impact of CO2 elevation in one experiment. And I'm not sure you're correct about deforestation anyway. Can you provide some evidence?
In any case, isn't the vocation of Catholic nuns primarily to save souls not the wetlands?
Years ago I heard someone say, "The Vatican moves quickly, slowly."
ReplyDeleteI assume that in the perspective of history this movement will seem quick. For us it seems a long time coming.
What I don't see much good in is having nuns cloistered behind some walls, living outside the real world.
ReplyDeleteGod has been calling certain souls to leave the secular world and dedicate themselves entirely to Him since the time of John the Baptist, so clearly He sees otherwise. The work of souls chosen to live in cloister is prayer and reparation. They pray to support the work of priests and bishops; they pray to beg mercy on the world; they pray for the conversion of sinners; they pray to make up for ingratitude and unbelief; they pray for those who have not the sense to pray for themselves. Not to see the value of what they do is not to see the value of prayer itself. Surely, many of the calamities that have befallen the Church in our time is due in no small part to the faithlessness of many consecrated souls. By the same token, I think it is a safe bet that it is due to the faithfulness of other consecrated souls that things are not worse than they are.
Furthermore, just because you and I are not suited to monastic life, doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it. A young woman who enters a monastery is there because she feels called and wants to be there; and until she makes her final vows, her greatest fear is that she will be sent home.
I just found your website as I am trying to figure out what is going on with this nun issue (Our pastor said this morning at Mass that the nuns are being "persecuted" and I thought that was a bit strong until I read your entries and these comments. you are one nasty lady. I will tell you who in LCWR are teaching (the poor kids in the inner city) and working with orphans--the Charities, the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the IHM's, and Ursulines. I know women from these congregations and I am behind them 100%
ReplyDelete"You are one nasty lady."
ReplyDeleteTut-tut, Anonymous. Aren't you being judgmental and intolerant?
no, actually I have read your newsletter and blog for years and you are one nasty lady sometimes right, often right, but nasty and yes that is judgmental, but you're in no position to cast the first stone on that one
ReplyDeleteWith aunts who are Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Mercy, and having been educated by the good Ursulines, I also stand behind these nuns. The world is a different place than it was when Jesus lived and when these orders were founded. I applaud those who are able to change with the times and move forward and not be hung up on the way things have always been. I don't think it is anyone's responsibility to save someone else's soul - that is something only God can do. What the good nuns can do is help to save lives, work for better living conditions, help human rights, and yes, save the planet. Hooray for these good nuns!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm not casting stones, Consolamini. I'm a firm believer in making judgments -- not about the state of people's souls, but about moral truth. Our intellect is called the seat of judgment and we are called to judge between truth and the lie. That often gets people lableled "nasty" because many people hate the truth and respond to it, not with rational argument, but with ad hominem attacks like "You are one nasty lady."
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I stand behind good nuns too, but I'm surprised that you want to turn them into social workers and environmental activists. What a step down from their holy calling as brides of Christ.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, you sure do get more than your share of seminar posters. Your blog must be on some kind of list at the LCWR!
ReplyDeleteFr. Z has a good "history" of the LCWR and *some* of their members who dissent from certain Catholic moral issues (and disciplines).
ReplyDeletehttp://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/04/nuns-gone-wild-a-trip-down-memory-lane/
There seems to be a bit of a discrepancy about this whole affair.
In defense of Mary Ann she *is not* saying that all women's religious are in open dissent. There are more than a few exceptions - thanks be to God. (like the Nashville and Ann Arbor Dominicans, just to name a couple).
I, too, recommend reading Donna Steichen's book "UnGodly Rage."
It came out in the early 1990s and it gives a good historical analysis of the "The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism" that has come into the Church (that is the book's subtitle).
Catechist Kevin
I agree with you Mary Ann. As a pro-life mother, I don't see the LCWR involved in this major social justice issue. I spoke to one nun and I couldn't figure out what religion she espoused. She said she was a healer and a spiritualist and yet a Catholic nun. It was a bizarre exchange. Instead of living in the world, these weird nuns are living out of this world!
ReplyDeletePeace and social justice begin in the womb. They have lost all the JPII pro-life Catholic young people.
Many of those commenting on this thread seem to believe that the LCWR really does represent all the nuns whose leaders belong. Actually, the LCWR has about 1500 members altogether. Presumably the members who are heads of their orders are elected which is not a good sign for those orders. Nevertheless, the fact is, there are many nuns in those orders who disagree and are even persecuted by the leadership. The media gives a false picture of tens of thousands of nuns who agree with the radical agenda of the LCWR. That's a stretch. And the Vatican's action was not against the orders, but solely against the LCWR. That's an important distinction.
ReplyDelete