Finally something conciliatory from this pope to women. It is a positive change from the authoritarian crackdown under JPII. Well see. An unprecedented and highly controversial Vatican investigation of every community of Catholic sisters in the United States that began [under John Paul II] with [harsh] criticism of nuns as having a “secular mentality” [you may recall it accused them of being radical feminists] ended Tuesday with a report full of praise, and without any disciplinary measures or new controls. “Since the early days of the Catholic Church [in the United States], women religious have courageously been in the forefront … selflessly tending to the spiritual, moral, educational, physical and social needs of countless individuals,” the report says. In particular, it says American nuns are especially apt to “resonate with Pope Francis’ insistence that ‘none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice’. But it still holds the line on doctrine: Caution is to be taken not to displace Christ from the center of creation and of our faith,” the report says. Over the years, critics have complained that some progressive-minded nuns flirt with a new age eco-spirituality that’s more about the cosmos than about Jesus Christ. There’s an echo of that concern in the report, which calls on nuns “to carefully review their spiritual practices and ministry to assure that these are in harmony with Catholic teaching about God, creation, the Incarnation and the Redemption.” sfgate/world/article/Vatican-offers-olive-branch-to-U-S-nuns-5961001.php
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:43:42 +0000