The leadership group for US nuns says the Vatican report finding they had undermined church teaching is based on “unsubstantiated accusations”.
Calling the Vatican’s review process “flawed” and “lacking transparency”, the leadership group said “the sanctions were disproportionate to the concerns raised and could compromise their ability to fulfill their mission.”
The nuns said the Vatican’s report has “caused scandal and pain through the church community and caused greater polarization”.
Sr Pat Farrell, president of the Leadership Conference, and executive director Sr Janet Mock will travel to Rome to meet Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, (CDF) Cardinal William Levada, and Seattle Archbishop, Peter Sartin, the US bishop tasked with reforming the nuns over a five year period.
In April the CDF issued the assessment citing what it called grave concerns about the conference. It accused the group of promoting radical feminist ideas and positions contrary to church teachings on such issues as abortion, homosexuality and the ordination of women.
The Vatican’s assessment ignited a firestorm of criticism against the Vatican and an outpouring of support for the sisters, with many Americans joining vigils and protests and signing petitions.
Archbishop Peter Sartain, Saturday, issued a response to the sisters saying he and the CDF are “wholeheartedly committed to deling with the important issues raised by the Doctrinal Assessment and the LCWR Board in an atmosphere of openness, honesty, integrity and fidelity to the Church’s faith.”
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