Pope Francis has reaffirmed the need to reform the major group of women religious in the United States, accepting the Vatican’s 2012 assessment that found it had “serious doctrinal problems”.
The Pope’s view was conveyed to representatives of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, led by president Sister Florence Deacon, by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Gerhard Müller, at a meeting in Rome.
A statement from the congregation said Archbishop Müller, who was meeting the group for the first time, expressed his gratitude for the great contribution of women religious to the Church in the United States.
“The prefect then highlighted the teaching of the Second Vatican Council regarding the important mission of religious to promote a vision of ecclesial communion founded on faith in Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Church as faithfully taught through the ages under the guidance of the magisterium,” the statement said.
“He also emphasised that a conference of major superiors, such as the LCWR, exists in order to promote common efforts among its member institutes as well as co-operation with the local conference of bishops and with individual bishops. For this reason, such conferences are constituted by and remain under the direction of the Holy See.”
The statement concluded: “It is the sincere desire of the Holy See that this meeting may help to promote the integral witness of women religious, based on a firm foundation of faith and Christian love, so as to preserve and strengthen it for the enrichment of the Church and society for generations to come.”
In a brief statement after the April 15 meeting, the LCWR said the talks were “open and frank”. It added: “We pray that these conversations may bear fruit for the good of the Church.”
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Image: Journal Sentinel
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