Something Fishy at the LCWR

Came across this while reading The Curt Jester. The author raises a couple of good points about why they LCWR are screaming about the upcoming visitation that I hadn't really thought about. I will add a couple of comments as we go.

The red-herrings of the LCWR

Meeting recently in New Orleans, the LCWR issued a statement on the upcoming theological assessment by the CDF. Among the predictable "pearl clutching" exclamations of indignation are two charges against the Vatican's probe that are meant to serve as red herrings. Both these charges are made under the general charge of "lack of transparency":

1). Why can't we see the report itself?

2). Who's paying for this investigation?

The first charge sets up an ominous specter of secretive Vatican-doings. You can almost hear the dark, foreboding music in the background as the sisters furrow their collective brow. The second charge plants the idea that the investigation is being bankrolled by some nefarious right-wing group, implying that the investigation would not be taking place if this group had not paid the Vatican to do it. The Vatican equivalent of the vast right-wing conspiricy apparently what the LCWR wants you to think is behind this.
Why are these charges red-herrings? How do they attempt to distract readers? The LCWR is either teaching with the Catholic Church, or it isn't. They are either leading their associated nuns and sisters in the apostolic faith, or they aren't. The investigation is set to determine whether or not these women religious--vowed to serve the Church--are, in fact, serving the Church honestly or using their vast resources and influence to undermine the Catholic faith. Having access to the reports will not change nearly forty-years of public statements supporting women's ordination, same-sex marriage, feminist political ideology, etc. Like I've said so many times before, the LCWR doesn't want the truth out about what they are really doing is not what they are supposed to do. Knowing who (if anyone) is paying for the investigation will not change these public statements either. Basically, these charges by the LCWR are analogous to a reckless driver charging the police officer who stops him with reckless driving himself. How else did you catch me, Officer? You must have been speeding too! The officer's speeding in no way mitigates the recklessness of the indignate driver.

Here's what the LCWR is really afraid of:

From the Instrumentum Laboris (this is not the CDF document but the working instrument for the assessment of the quality of life for the sisters, a separate investigation: "If any sister wishes to express her opinion about some aspect of her religious institute, she may do so freely and briefly, in writing and with signature, specifically identifying her institute by title and location. In order to respect each sister’s freedom of conscience, any sister may send her written comments directly and confidentially to Mother Mary Clare Millea at the Apostolic Visitation Office (PO Box 4328, Hamden, CT, 06514); or by fax: (203-287-5467) by November 1, 2009."

Why is this scary? The LCWR knows what many of us know about the "sisters in the convents." They do not support the neo-pagan/eco-feminist agenda of their leadership conference, but often find themselves intimidated into silence. Interesting point with a lot of truth behind it in some cases. By allowing individual sisters to write to Mother Clare (the lead investigator for this assessment), the Vatican is encouraging sisters to express themselves outside the tightly controlled, ideologically pure agenda of the LCWR. In other words, this move undermines the power of the LCWR to manage the message. & the LCWR doesn't want that. The last thing the leadership of any self-proclaimed revolutionary movement wants is public criticism from those they claim to represent. How often do "people's revolutions" end up in the hands of elitist demagogues? What the secrecy really does is protects those who oppose the LCWR & are aware of what is wrong. Who is going to be open if you fear retaliation. & given how I have seen this done in the past, it is a valid concern. & thus, protecting anyone who has concerns will make them feel free to speak when they wouldn't otherwise.

My own experience with nuns and sisters with regard to both assessments is telling. I've yet to run across a "sister in the convent" who understands the reasons for these assessments. When I describe the stated reasons, they are often shocked and saddened to hear what the LCWR has been spewing against the Church in their name. All they hear about the assessments comes from the LCWR. This wouldn't surprise me, depending on the convent. But in some convents, I highly suspect a good number want only the LCWR's side as they agree with it.

It it vitally important for Catholics to understand that the CDF's theological assessement of the LCWR is NOT an investigation into the theological opinions of individual sisters or congregations. The leadership conference itself is being assessed; that is, the focus of the assessement is on the public statements of conference speakers, conference resolutions, and projects funded by the conference to determine whether or not these adhere to basic Church teaching. In its forty-year history, the LCWR has publicly supported women's ordination; overturning the Church's teaching on same-sex morality; and seriously questioned the unique and final role of Christ in salvation history (i.e., Christ may not be the only way to God, leading some to hold that other religions can lead to salvation on their own terms). These three areas of dissent have been marked for special attention by the CDF.

This bears repeating: any negative conclusion made by the CDF with regard to its investigation accures to the LCWR itself. . .NOT to individual sisters or congregations; meaning, if the CDF concludes that the LCWR has been deficient in teaching the Catholic faith, this should not be understood as a condemnation of any one sister or congregation. Investigations into the work of individual theologians is an entirely different process that sometimes takes up to ten years or more. The visitation will come up with its own conclusions on what is happenning. There will be some overlap of results. There will be some individual congregations that will line up with the direction of the LCWR. But remember there are many growing congregations out there as well. These are ones that are faithful to the magesterium. & that will be highlighted as well.

I am being so adamant about this distinction b/c I fear that faithful Catholics may conclude that a negative evaluation of the LCWR by the CDF means that all (or even most) American religious women are involved in dissident activity. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am confident that the overwhelming majority of our sisters are doing exactly what they vowed to do: serve the Church. The "non serviam" that the LCWR often proclaims to the Church should not be extended to most sisters. I think he may be a bit optimistic about the number that are faithful, at least in those congregations connected to the LCWR. But he is right to say that we can lump all the congregations together. That is why I decided to do my Nuns w/Good Habits & know Your Nuns posts. To show that the LCWR isn't all there is.

Please offer prayers and fasts for the LCWR, the CDF, Mother Clare, and especially for the innocent sisters and nuns who are being subjected to this investigation through no fault of their own. Also, encourage individual sisters to write to Mother Clare and express themselves freely.

A good point he makes is that the 2 investigations are seperate in source & purpose. As I said, some of the things brought out by the visitation will connect with what is found in the investigation. The visitation will result in showing that those congregations that are faithful to the magesterium are the ones that are growing. Those that adhere to what the LCWR promotes aren't. The CDF investigation will look at what the LCWR is promoting & show how it is dissention from the magesterium. What the 2 together will show is that faithfulness to authentic Catholic doctrine results in growth & fruit. Dissent results in death, spiritual as well as physical.

The LCWR doesn't want the truth to get out. They present themselves as the future of the Church. Yet, when the truth gets out, they will be shown to be a spiritual dead end. They will be shown to be a disconnect from the past & definitely not the wave of the future.

H/t: Jeff Miller @ The Curt Jester ( The red-herrings of the LCWR)