Okay, let's talk, says Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain to the nuns and sisters who have been rebuked by the Vatican.In April, when the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was turned over to Sartain and two other U.S. bishops to revamp their management and programming, the women were stunned and dismayed.
Their choices seemed bleak: Withdraw and leave the LCWR, representing 80% of U.S. nuns and sisters as an empty shell, withdraw from the Church and take their social justice and service talents elsewhere, or go along.
On Friday, the LCWR concluded at their annual assembly in St. Louis that they could both stand up the the Vatican critique and sit down with Sartain.
Despite a sense that their good works were misrepresented (a scathing Vatican "Doctrinal Assessment" cited them for "radical feminist" leanings) they would work with the bishops -- with stipulations:
The assembly instructed the LCWR officers to conduct their conversation with Archbishop Sartain from a stance of deep prayer that values mutual respect, careful listening and open dialogue. The officers will proceed with these discussions as long as possible, but will reconsider if LCWR is forced to compromise the integrity of its mission.
Sartain responded with praise and a commitment to work with them, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Seattle. It was full of praise but still locked to solving issues raised by the doctrinal review.
Sartain said:
The Holy See and the Bishops of the United States are deeply proud of the historic and continuing contribution of women religious to our country through social, pastoral and spiritual ministries; Catholic health care; Catholic education; and many other areas where they reach out to those on the margins of society.
As an association of women religious, the LCWR brings unique gifts to its members and to the Church at large. This uniqueness includes sensitivity to suffering, whether in Latin America or the inner-city; whether in the life of an unborn child or the victim of human trafficking.
Religious women have made a lasting contribution to the wellbeing of our country and continue to do so today. For that they deserve our respect, our support, our thanks and our prayers.
Along with the members of the LCWR, I remain committed to working to address the issues raised by the Doctrinal Assessment in an atmosphere of prayer and respectful dialogue.
We must also work toward clearing up any misunderstandings, and I remain truly hopeful that we will work together without compromising Church teaching or the important role of the LCWR. I look forward to our continued discussions as we collaborate in promoting consecrated life in the United States.