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1. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) have been severely curtailed by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) by providing only scant evidence as to its reasons why the LCWR should be placed under the control of a bishop and have its charter restructured.
   The LCWR can appeal the decision but the only body to which they can appeal is to the CDF itself!
   Make no mistake, this is yet another incident such as the Bp Morris affair in Australia.
   As was the case with Bp Morris, the CDF/Vatican has not provided cogent reason for its actions, nor has it provided sound and reasonable justification.
   The LCWR has, apparently, ‘not followed Catholic teachings by not screening the content of speakers address at its annual assemblies’, it has indulged ‘in “Corporate dissent" in the congregation regarding the church's sexual teachings; and 'A prevalence of certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith' present in some of the organizations programs and presentations’. (Quote: NCR)
   It is no wonder that people are leaving the Church in droves when the supreme decision making bodies can impose decisions arbitrarily, without review, that have the consequence to marginalise and disenfranchise their own flock.

   Posted By: Jeff KETTERING TAS 7155

2. What next - what other strategies are they thinking up?
   Do they really think they can get away this – they can’t you know, because this is not of the gospel, not of life and God.
   It is, once again, about authority and power – that is not of God!
   Where would the church be now without the fidelity, intelligence, perseverance, enduring love and compassion of religious women?
   Without their thriving as living witnesses to the Gosepl, despite the persecution of church authority? Please Sisters, hold firm to your call to be the prophetic edge of the church, to call these men to the Gospel and to truth and justice. The world and church need you more than ever.
   Stand your ground – we are with you!

   Posted By: Ann Martens

3. I read somewhere, forgive my lack of referencing 'be guided with compassion and respect' when dealing with disputes. Or something to that effect. I think it was St Paul.
   The Church owes much to women religious all over the world who worked tirelessly for the gospel and Catholicism without power.
   This is another Power and Authority game.
   We need faithful people who do not play the game of power and authority in our Church. Then maybe we can begin to talk about a New Evangelisation.
   

   Posted By: Paul

4. Full support to the American women religious who examine steps they need to take to maintain their freedom to continue to do the great work they have been doing over many years within the church structure.

   Posted By: rita hayes rsm

5. The fellas in Rome are really running scared now.
   Stand fast all you religious women who act in the name of Jesus and do such sterling work for the whole of humankind.
   May you all be richly blessed and continue in your wonderful (and exemplary) lives.
   You are Church, well and truly.
   

   Posted By: Rosemary Keenan

6. To the Vatican, may I say: Stand your ground; there are humble, faithful women religious who stand with you, and will stand before Christ someday as he says, 'Well done, you good and faithful servant.'

   Posted By: Paul Keen

7. This is a review for providing guidance and approval, where necessary, of the work of the nuns’ leadership group.
   This Leadership Conference of Women Religious was created by the Vatican and now, because some have gone away from the Church and even away from Jesus, it is time for a review.
   Throughout my working life my job and my performance were regularly reviewed.
   

   Posted By: M. Lyons

8. You cannot serve two masters.

   Posted By: Peter in Canberra

9. Interesting that nearly all comments agreeing with the Vatican power play are men.
   Women have been downtrodden by the church for far too long.
   Nuns were treated like slaves and were forced to obey belittling rules yet still gave and continue to give Christ's Service to the poor and marginalised.
   Very little attempt is given by the comfortable old boys club of Rome to actually put Christ's message of selfless service into practice.
   They continuously enjoy the fruits of their labours - no hardship there. There appears to be a growing tendency by Rome to stifle any form of dessention from their man-made rules by using power and fear.
   On the surface, there now appears to be very little in the way of pastoral persuasion coming from this quarter any more.
   I feel sad that the inability of Rome to act pastorally to the very real problems with our Church will, in the long run cause much un-necessary pain to so many good people.
   Jesus stifled His ego. Pity others will not do the same.

   Posted By: Peter Barker

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