The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Joins Thousands of U.S. Catholics Rally in Support of Nuns: Commend LCWR on Prayerful Discernment

(Donna Rougeux and Janice Sevre-Duszynska hold signs "Support Sisters" at Rally 

in Louisville, KY. on May 29, 2012)

For Immediate Release

June 1, 2012

Nicole Sotelo: 773.404.0004 x285

Erin Saiz Hanna: 401.588.0457

Thousands of U.S. Catholics Rally in Support of Nuns;

Commend LCWR on Prayerful Discernment

Washington, DC - Today, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), an umbrella group representing 80% of the 57,000 nuns in the United States, released a statement regarding the recent Vatican mandate stating "the sanctions imposed were disproportionate to the concerns raised and could compromise their ability to fulfill their mission." The statement continued, "the board believes it is imperative that these matters be addressed by the entire church community in an atmosphere of openness, honesty, and integrity."

"We commend the sisters on their prayerful discernment of the Vatican's mandate. It speaks to the faithfulness of the sisters and the reason why Catholics across the country continue to stand behind them," stated Jim FitzGerald, spokesperson for the Nun Justice Project and Executive Director of Call To Action.

Since the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith first announced its crackdown on LCWR and U.S. religious communities, thousands of faithful Catholics have rallied in support of the nuns in over 50 vigils across the country and more the 52,000 have signed the Change.org 'Support the Sisters' petition organized by the Nun Justice Project.

"We are calling for the mandate against the sisters to be rescinded," stated Erin Saiz Hanna, spokesperson for the Nun Justice Project and Executive Director of the Women's Ordination Conference. "At this time in our church's history when the Vatican is beset by scandal and the U.S. church hierarchy is on trial for sex abuse, church officials should stop trying to reform the nuns and reform themselves, instead."

As LCWR continues to deliberate their response prior to their meetings with the Holy See on June 12 and leading up to their annual conference this August, Catholics will continue stand in solidarity with the sisters.

The Nun Justice Project plans to reach its goal of 57,000 signatures, one name for every U.S. woman religious, by the time they deliver the petition to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual meeting in Atlanta on June 13. In addition, Catholics nationwide will deliver letters in support of nuns to their local diocesan offices.

Catholics are encouraged to redirect their Peter's Pence contribution, an annual second collection made by Roman Catholics toward the expenses of the Holy See normally made at the end of June, to local women religious communities. To date, over 34K has already been pledged in support of the sisters.

"We will continue to support the sisters in the months ahead through our prayer and faithful witness. They have supported us and now it's our time to support them," concluded FitzGerald. 

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

May Catholics redirect their giving from Peter's Pence and donate millions for the cause of Nun Justice and their many ministries of care for the needy. I hope that religious communities  declare independence from Vatican control and form 501-c-3's so that they will NOT function within this patriarchal model of domination and clerical control. This choice would inspire millions of Catholics. The people of God are the church, not the hierarchy or Vatican alone.  I pray that many Sisters will embrace their vocations as women called to a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals. Just think of the joy "nunpriests" would bring to thousands of faith communities in the U.S. and elsewhere! 

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

www.arcwp.org

sofiabmm@aol.com

703-505-0004