The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has apparently raised the attention of the Holy See. Word came down a few days ago that The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), the Roman Catholic body for enforcing religious orthodoxy, is investigating the practices of the LCWR. At issue is a supposed gap between the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church and the teachings of LCWR represented nuns. The LCWR has over 1,500 members and claims to represent over 90% of the Roman Catholic religious orders or congregations of women in the United States.
Three points of contention seem to be at the heart of this conflict. One is the teaching of the inherently male nature of the priesthood. Second is the proper doctrinal view of homosexuality. Third is the exaltation of Roman Catholicism over all over denominations of Christianity.
Claims are that the LCWR, either actively or passively, subverts the correct teaching of these subjects, placing it in a more liberal light. The LCWR has been asked to “report on the initiatives taken or planned” to educate their Roman Catholic students in the proper doctrinal fashion.
With its roots in the 16th century, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the oldest congregation of the Roman Curia (the administrative arm of the Roman Catholic Church). It was originally created by Pope Paul III and went by the name of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Universal Inquisition, though the much shorter name of The Roman Inquisition (or just plain ‘The Inquisition’) would become its most identifiable moniker. At end of the Second Vatican Council the name was changed to the current version.
Apparently unfazed by an investigation by the formerly-named Inquisition, the LCWR released the following statement:
“The Leadership Conference of Women Religious received on March 10 a letter dated February 20, 2009 from Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). The letter announces CDF’s decision to conduct a doctrinal assessment of LCWR’s activities and initiatives.
