Nuns to decide how to respond to attacks from the Vatican

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/314-18/12671-nuns-weigh-response-to-scathing-vatican-rebuke

American nuns are preparing to assemble in St. Louis next week for a pivotal meeting at which they will try to decide how to respond to a scathing critique of their doctrinal loyalty issued this spring by the Vatican - a report that has prompted Roman Catholics across the country to rally to the nuns' defense.

The nuns will be weighing whether to cooperate with the three bishops appointed by the Vatican to supervise the overhaul of their organization, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which represents about 80 percent of women's Catholic religious orders in the United States.

The Leadership Conference says it is considering at least six options that range from submitting graciously to the takeover to forming a new organization independent of Vatican control, as well other possible courses of action that lie between those poles.

What is in essence a power struggle between the nuns and the church's hierarchy had been building for decades, church scholars say. At issue are questions of obedience and autonomy, what it means to be a faithful Catholic and different understandings of the Second Vatican Council.

Sister Pat Farrell, the president of the Leadership Conference, said in an interview that the Vatican seems to regard questioning as defiance, while the sisters see it as a form of faithfulness.

[longship]

1. This atheist is in awe of the sisters.

Their activities -- the bus tour and its message -- have inspired me. I support their cause.

I hope that they continue their pressure to the Mother Church

[Shankapotomus]

2. Wouldn't it be funny if one of the options

the nuns were considering was to beat the Vatican men with a ruler?

[eridani]

18. I prefer a good old-fashioned beaning by blackboard eraser n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

3. They should march on the Vatican

Take it over.

Institute gender equality, elections that involve the laity, etc.

And send the good Cardinal Law back to Boston. The BPD will have a nice reception waiting.

[rosesaylavee]

4. If they are making this decision public

this is very big news. I was taught by nuns and many were NOT pleased with the former pope's ruling in the 80s about women and specifically altar girls were to be allowed near the altar or participate in the mass that way. The small group I was privvy to were considering leaving the Church but still maintaining their vows as they made these promises to a higher power than the Pope.

This will be interesting in how it plays out as there are far more nuns than priests in this country. And they are the face of the Church for many in need - hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. The Pope will have to come around to acknowledging their work or suffer the consequences. He's a very bad representative of the Church... possibly their worst in a century.

Non-catholic now but the recipient of a catholic education from elementary thru under grad.

[westerebus]

5. Flaming arrows would be a good place to start.

If that seems a little excessive, then close quarter battle with their trusty yard sticks will have to do.

Their kung fu is powerful!

[cbayer]

6. Oh boy, this is getting good. Something tells me they won't be "submitting graciously".

[mazzarro]

11. Yes indeed - I have the same impression myself! -- n/t

[_ed_]

7. Why don't they just quit the church?

Why stay a member of a hateful, sexist organization? If you want to help the poor, you don't need Mr. Ratzinger or any of the other leadership of the church. Just quit and start a non-profit to help the poor.

[Lucy Goosey]

8. Yes. This.

If the organization you work for is telling you to stop focusing so much on the poor, then that organization is simply not living the teachings of Jesus. Jesus didn't exactly make priorities out of protesting abortion and gay-bashing.

I would really, really love to see women leaving their religious orders en masse because of the Ratzinger attacks.

[cbayer]

9. I suspect they would tell you that it's their church.

And certainly you understand that it's much more to them than just a non-profit to help the poor.

[dimbear]

17. In a sense it is, since they built it, but if they try to separate they will find the RCC holds

all the title deeds and won't give up anything.

Send lawyers, guns, and money. Well ...... maybe not guns.

[cleanhippie]

10. I suspect it has to do with the same reasoning abused wives stay with their abusers.

[cap]

12. Oh not at all!

Women saints have kicked many the butt of a bishop or cardinal throughout all time. St Theresa of Avila cleaned up the excesses of the hierarchy that led to the Reformation. She literally rode all over Europe. The recently canonized St. Hildegard was going toe to toe with the bishops. St. Marguerite D'Youville, likewise. There are lots more women saints who have taken on the hierarchy. They got their sainthood and the bishops got oblivion except for being the foil to sainthood.

The nuns are following a fine tradition.

[cap]

13. In fact, the nuns were sainted for their rebellion

We may be seeing living saints in action; for it will take a miracle to clean up the church today.

[cbayer]

14. Exactly. Anyone, including the Vatican, who underestimates theses women

Does so at their own peril.

Nice post.

[skepticscott]

20. Oh please...what peril?

Name ONE thing that these nuns are willing and able to do that will cause any real damage to the Vatican.

[Greatest I am]

15. It is up to Men.

FMPOV, if the men of the church do not get behind their women and nuns and help push their agenda of full equality, then they do not have the balls to call themselves men or believers.

Jesus said we would know his people by their works and if the men will not do this good work then they are not of God or Jesus.

We cannot ask others to give women equality while keeping our women unequal.

Regards
DL

[cbayer]

16. Welcome to DU and to the religion group.

[Greatest I am]

21. Thanks

[skepticscott]

19. In the end, nothing substantial will happen

The red hat club has no reason and no need to give ground on anything that matters. The nuns are not capable of leaving the Catholic Church en masse, and everyone involved knows that. They will make some noise and everyone will pretend to engage in Serious Discussion, and then the nuns will go back to work, meekly accepted their status as second class citizens. They'll try to put a good face on it, and the phrase "change from within" will no doubt be used, but their situation will not change significantly.