VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL GREATER PHILADELPHIA TOTALLY SUPPORTS THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGE BY THE CONGREGATION OF THE FAITH

Voice of the Faithful Greater Philadelphia is very saddened by the April 18 statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith chastising the Leadership Conference of Women Religious for alleged doctrinal irregularities and announcing its intent to revise the statutes, programs, speakers, liturgical practices and justice affiliations of the organization.

LCWR represents eighty percent of the 57,000 sisters in the United States. We are coordinating our response with others in the church reform community.  We will let you know when further suggested actions are finalized. In the meantime, please pray for LCWR leaders and for all women religious who are deeply wounded by this latest action.

In our experience the LCWR is composed of some the most faithful Catholic leaders in the United States. Their Christ-like love and commitment to the poor and marginalized is legendary. Their communities educate poor children, bring health care to the needy, advocate for the dignity of the oppressed, especially women, and advance works of justice and peace wherever these are lacking.

The Catholic Church is facing immense problems today: a worldwide 'Eucharistic famine' caused by the priest shortage, widespread closing of parishes, the profound failure of our bishops to be accountable for clergy sex abuse and financial scandals, and the hemorrhaging of Catholics to other denominations (or to none at all) because of a loss of credible leadership.  With all of this one can only wonder why the Vatican is choosing to chastise and control the leaders of congregations of women religious. 

Our Church would be better served if our leaders worked to reform Church governance structures to include greater participation of all the faithful, gender balance, transparency and accountability.

Voice of the Faithful Greater Philadelphia extends its heartfelt prayer and support to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious as they take all the time necessary to address this very complex situation.                                                   

NUN JUSTICE PROJECT: PHILADELPHIA

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Contact: Regina Bannan 215-545-9649 reginab317@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Monday, May 14, 2012

Catholics to Vigil in Front of Cathedral

To Support Nuns under Vatican Attack

WHAT: Local Catholics will gather on the sidewalk of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Tuesday, May 22, for a prayer vigil in support of nuns. This vigil is part of a nationwide series of protest vigils in response to the Vatican’s recent mandate against Catholic sisters.

WHERE: Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica; 18^th and Race Sts; Philadelphia, PA

WHEN: Tuesday, May 22^nd, 4:30-6 pm., a week before the national meeting of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious that begins May 29^th. 

WHO: Approximately 50 Catholics will gather in prayer with signs in support of nuns

WHY: On April 18, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a crackdown on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), an umbrella group that represents more than 80 percent of the 57,000 women religious in the United States. 

For more information on the nationwide vigils, see http://www.nunjustice.org  

For the latest news on the situation, visit http://ncronline.org/SistersUnderScrutiny

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