Vatican's Assessment of LCWR about Fear, not Doctrine by Sr. Fran Ferder May 29, 2012

The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith's April 18 doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious is not about doctrine. It is not primarily about protecting the faith or ensuring an ecclesiology of communion, no matter how many times these terms are woven through the report. It is fundamentally about fear -- fear of the loss of power -- and the willful use of dominative control to defend that power. . . . . The final report of the LCWR assessment reveals a desperate attempt on the part of some fearful and angry church leaders to protect their turf -- to maintain an all-male church leadership, to keep women and laypeople under their authority, and to shield the homophobic-homosexual subculture in the leadership of the Catholic church. The pattern of using coercive intimidation to control others in one's household is called domestic abuse. . . . . Whether through hits or humiliations, broken bones or broken spirits, threats of bodily harm or warnings of impending excommunication, the goal of abusers is the same: Assert absolute control. Wear the person down until he or she gives in or gives up. Use punishment if he or she dares to claim his or her own authority. The most dangerous time in a household where domestic abuse is present is right after the person being abused has stood up to the abuser. Have too many members of LCWR claimed their own authority? The classic domestic abuser seeks one thing above all else: obedience to dictates. It is not surprising that obedience is alluded to on every page of the final doctrinal assessment document. Abusers believe they are entitled to maintain power and control over those in their households (institutions). They may believe they have an obligation to compel obedience for the benefit of the victim and the good of the household (church). They do not identify their controlling and hurtful tactics as abusive and are insulted when others perceive them that way. Perpetrators tend to perceive all interactions within relationships through a prism of compliance or disobedience. Abusers tend to be insecure men who need to establish dominance to feel confident. . . . . What kinds of people abuse others? While there is no single profile of the domestic abuser, research has identified characteristics frequently seen among perpetrators of all types. Ironically, there is not much difference between those who use their fists and those who use words alone to demand obedience. . . . . Some male abusers have been found to harbor a secret loathing of females, considering them inferior. Since such attitudes are certainly present in the history of the church (read St. Jerome), it is possible that its influence still inhabits, consciously or the unconsciously, the collective mind of church leaders. The persistent desire of hierarchical leaders to keep women under their control and out of their sphere of leadership, especially women theologians, suggests that the "Jerome Syndrome" might still be operative. Read more Bridget Mary's Reflection: Yes,  this is the reason that the Vatican fears women priests. Our agenda is a renewed priestly ministry in a more open, transparent, community-oriented, egalitarian, empowered church. Now you can see why the Old Boys Club goes after anyone or any group that supports women's ordination and/or women's empowerment.  Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org sofiabmm@aol.com