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Vatican Cracks Down on 'Liberal' US Nuns

They're not hard enough on gays, abortion, women priests, says Rome

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 19, 2012 12:29 AM CDT | Updated Apr 19, 2012 3:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Vatican is launching a massive crackdown on US nuns for their failure to attack gay marriage, female ordination, and abortion. Officials blasted the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an umbrella group that oversees some 55,000 American nuns, for sponsoring conferences that feature "radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith," reports USA Today. The situation is "grave and a matter of serious concern," concluded a Vatican report following a two-year investigation of the LCWR. Seattle's archbishop is now in charge of cleaning house at LCWR, overhauling its governance system and all programs.

Bishops are particularly perturbed by the women, especially because the LCWR—along with the Catholic Health Association and Network, a nuns' social justice lobbying group—endorsed President Obama's health care reform over the bishops' objections. A Network spokeswoman said she was "stunned" by the Vatican's condemnation. "It concerns me that political differences in a democratic country would result in such a a censure and investigation," said Sister Simone Campbell. The crackdown comes as the Vatican appears ready to welcome back a booted controversial right-wing splinter group of Catholic ultra-traditionalists.

Catholic nuns in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. They crossed the bishops.
Catholic nuns in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. They crossed the bishops.   (Getty Images)
Nuns in New York. The Vatican says they've been bad girls.
Nuns in New York. The Vatican says they've been bad girls.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 42 comments
emily123
Apr 24, 2012 9:09 AM CDT
It's amazing how rude and hateful liberals get when you say something they don't like. If someone would like to comment on my post respectfully instead of calling me stupid and threaten to slap me in the face, it would show intelligence. Jesus was slapped in the face, too. No one answered my questions,probably because they didn't know the answer. 1. Why do 100,000 people a year choose to become Catholic? 2. Why aren't people going after all pedophiles instead of Catholic ones? 3. Why would someone not be obedient after taking a vow of obedience? Let's B Tolerant, I do speak for all FAITHFUL Catholics. Those who disagree with the Pope on issues of faith and morals are not truly Catholic. With Catholicism, you take the whole thing or leave the whole thing. Simple as that. We are not like other denominations in which certain issue of faith and morals are left up to the individual believer. It's funny that you are only tolerant with those who agree with you. BTW, there are lots of young priests who hold the same opinions I do. The priesthood will not die out because there is a growth in vocations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where a lot of new priests in the US come from.There are also some groups of priests in the US that are doing very well in vocations. If you think all priests are 70-90 years old, you are mistaken. Fractal, .If  you don't agree with it, just leave and be done with it. If I choose to follow the Church, that is my business. If you don't like the Church telling you what to do, fine. But don't curse at me because you don't even know me. Twiny, The clothing restrictions in Deuteronomy were meant only for the early Israelites. The New Testament takes precedent over the Old. The Church still forbids crossdressing, but not because of Deutoronomy. Women wearing pants is not crossdressing. Pants are for men and women. If a man wore a skirt or dress, that would be crossdressing. The Saint of Pain, If I 'm so stupid, prove me wrong.Why not answer my questions in an intelligent manner? Are you even capable of that?
BCS
Apr 20, 2012 2:33 AM CDT
" a nuns' social justice lobbying group—endorsed President Obama's health care reform over the bishops' objections. A Network spokeswoman said she was "stunned" by the Vatican's condemnation." Me too, I always thought the Vatican supported communism.
bartlett4america
Apr 19, 2012 4:43 PM CDT
And so it goes.  After decades of protecting and covering-up for priests who rape young boys, we now find out the real problem is nuns who don't follow the dictates of the Vatican's all male leadership.  Who would have guessed that.
 

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