The Vatican has appointed a bishop to reform a group of American Nuns that it says is promoting “radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.” The Vatican investigated the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), a group that represents most of the US Catholic nuns. The investigation concluded that the US nuns were not speaking out enough against gay marriage, abortion, and women’s ordination. The nuns were criticized for focusing on issues relating to poverty and healthcare.
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, a lobbying group of US Catholic nuns, told the Washington Post, “it’s painfully obvious that the leadership of the church is not used to having educated women form thoughtful opinions and engage in dialogue.”
The Vatican also accused the nuns of making statements that disagreed with the Bishops and challenging their views. During the 2010 healthcare debate, many nuns came out in favor of the Affordable Care Act and signed a statement in favor of the law. The Bishops publicly opposed the law.
Washington Post 4/18/12; New York Times 4/18/12; USA Today 4/18/12
