Associated Press Writer
VATICAN CITY —"It's a life regimented in excruciating detail, down to the way they eat an orange. Silence is the norm, information is limited, e-mail is screened, close friendships are discouraged and family members are kept at bay - all in the name of God's will.
Known as consecrated women, they are lay Catholics affiliated with a conservative religious order who dedicate their lives to the church, making promises of chastity, poverty and obedience similar to the vows taken by nuns.
But the cult-like conditions they endure so alarmed Pope Benedict XVI that in May he ordered an extremely rare full Vatican investigation of the obscure group, which operates in the U.S., Mexico, Spain, the Philippines and a dozen other countries. The inquiry is expected to begin in the coming weeks. "
While there have been no sex abuse allegations within Regnum Christi, the problems uncovered in the Legion - abuse of authority, suppression of dissent and a power structure built on unswerving obedience - are also rampant in consecrated life.
Former consecrated members told of having their lives manipulated by strict rules that occupied nearly every waking minute of their day and by an endless search for new recruits... "
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I entered the IHM community with 90 other young women on Sept. 15, 1966. the feast day of the Blessed Mother's sorrows. We joked sometimes that we were the 90 sorrows of Mary!!We were a band of idealistic young woman, many right out of highschool. The "ins and outs" still get together for periodic reunions. Utilizing a listserve, we stay connected, sharing prayer requests and offering mutual support.
When we entered as postulants and then later as novices, was regimented. Our mail was censored, we spent most of the day in silence, and our visits with family were limited, TV and Movies were limited to special occasions.
We were not allowed to speak with "externs," outsiders without permission and we had to have permission for almost everything, even the religious habit we wore.
But, to be honest, religious life, in its pre-Vatican form, engaged in a form of "brain-washing." Independent thinking was not encouraged and strict obedience was part and parcel of "Nunhood 101."
On the other hand, while we were educated in traditional theology and spirituality, we also discovered a sense of community, (had lots of fun together and have many cherished memories ) , we learned self-discipline, and were given many opportunities to serve others. I look at the time spent as basic training!
After a period of prayerful discernment, I knew that God was calling me out of this form of religious life and into a new form of consecrated life.So I left the IHM Sisters after ten years and joined the Sisters for Christian Community Here with other daring visionaries, we were birthing a new understanding of religous life . We are women rooted in the gospel -nurturing mutuality, equality and justice in Chrisitan community. Our motto is the prayer of Jesus, "that all may be one." The Gospel is our rule of life. SFCC is an independent religious community, (approximately 500 members in U.S. , Canada, Europe, Pacific Rim, Africa) non-canonical and not under Vatican control. Four of my Sisters attended my ordination. Sister Regina Madonna Oliver, also a former IHM and at the time a Sister for Christian Community, presented me before the community. Regina and I wrote several books on prayer and spirituality together including Praying with a Passionate Heart, Affirmations from the Heart of God, Praying with Celtic Holy Women, A Promise of Presence, Heart Talks with Mother God. Regina died the year after I was ordained. feel sure that she now supports our movement from her heavenly home!
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