The Nun Justice Project wrote an open letter regarding recent comments by Cardinal Gerhard Müller to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

On April 30, Cardinal Müller, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, bluntly criticised the LCWR's focus on a concept called conscious evolution.

He also expressed displeasure at the LCWR honouring theologian Sr Elizabeth Johnson, whose writings had been criticised by US bishops.

Future speakers and presenters at LCWR major programmes now have to be approved by a Vatican delegate.

The LCWR responded on May 8, saying a climate of mistrust had developed with the CDF, but dialogue would continue.

The Nun Justice Project expressed concern and dismay at Cardinal Müller's actions.

It asked Pope Francis to remove the mandate imposed on the LCWR.

"Cardinal Müller's pre-emptive public criticism of LCWR leadership and Dr Johnson, one of the most beloved and respected theologians in the world, eclipsed any opportunity for public dialogue," it stated.

"This communicates that faithful Catholic female leaders are disrespected and discounted in our Church."

The coalition suggested the situation with LCWR presented Francis with an opportunity to act on his calls for expanding leadership roles for women, adding "that the place to begin is to listen to faithful women who are already exercising leadership".

The letter asked for a public apology to Sr Johnson and LCWR leadership, saying it "would speak volumes about the institutional Church's intent to truly listen to women and honour their voices".

The letter started by expressing "respect and gratitude" for Pope Francis's "extraordinary leadership in our Church".

Among the groups in the Nun Justice Project are Call to Action, the American Catholic Council, the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests and the Women's Ordination Conference.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Nun Justice Project
• LCWR - Vatican timeline (NCR)
• Image: National Catholic Reporter

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious said in a statement released on May 8 that communication had broken down with the congregation and, as a result, "mistrust has developed".

On April 30, at a meeting in Rome, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prefect Cardinal Gerhard Müller bluntly criticised some LCWR actions.

The cardinal objected to the LCWR's growing "focus of attention" on a concept called conscious evolution, which he likened to the ancient heresy of Gnosticism.

He also criticised the LCWR for honouring a theologian who writings were viewed unfavourably by the US bishops.

The cardinal insisted a Vatican appointee approve LWCR conference speakers.

But in their subsequent statement, the women religious rededicated their organisation to continued dialogue with Vatican officials.

"The continuation of such conversation may be one of the most critical endeavours we, as leaders, can pursue for the sake of the world, the Church, and religious life," they said.

But they were saddened "that impressions of the organisation in the past decades have become institutionalised in the Vatican, and these institutionalised perceptions have led to judgements . . . ."

LCWR has been under a cloak of doctrinal congregation suspicion since 2009.

In 2012, the CDF, having completed a doctrinal assessment, issued a reform mandate.

Two years of further discussions set the scene for the LCWR leadership visit to Rome and its meeting at the CDF on April 30.

"During the meeting it became evident that despite maximum efforts through the years, communication has broken down and as a result, mistrust has developed," the LWCR statement continued.

"What created an opening toward dialogue in this meeting was hearing first-hand the way the CDF perceives LCWR.

"We do not recognise ourselves in the doctrinal assessment of the conference and realise that, despite that fact, our attempts to clarify misperceptions have led to deeper misunderstandings."

The women said they plan to continue discussions with the CDF.

They also said that, overall, their encounters with the Roman Curia were marked by "genuine interaction and mutual respect".

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Catholic News Service
• Image: Hughosb