What would Jesus think of it all?

A report was released today criticizing the lives of American Catholic sisters. After reading the report, I think Jesus would want to have a conversation with the Vatican regarding their view that the members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (nuns) in the United States have serious doctrinal problems.  Really? “Serious doctrinal problems”? The Jesus I love never mentioned doctrine, except for those mandates of feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick…

The report released is the summary of an investigation that began in 2008. I imagine that Jesus would not be happy with these men who cast stones at holy women.

The report stated that the “Leadership Conference of Women Religious, had challenged church teaching on homosexuality and the male-only priesthood, and promoted radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.” Radical behavior like raising awareness of poverty and economic injustice.

When the sisters in our parish were slated to be interviewed for this investigation, we prayed for their well-being, we told them how meaningful their work with the poor is to all of us and how they are the body of Christ in our hurting world. And then our priest said to us: “I am glad there is an investigation into the work of these women, sisters in America. The investigation requires a great deal of paper work. Paper work that will be needed in 50 years when we seek documentation for their path to sainthood.”

We rose to our feet and applauded in love and support of these women whose voices cannot be silenced.

( S-R archives photo: Sister Rosalie Locati, director of mission and values for Providence Sacred Heart and Providence Holy Family hospitals .)