The Pope is gunning for uppity nuns.
That is, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)*, has announced a five-year doctrinal crushing reform of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the umbrella organisation that represents about 80% of the 57,000 nuns in this country.
So there have been two investigations going on, CDF's doctrinal assessment and Mother Clare's apostolic visitation. For my money, the latter is more serious. Go watch the video on the apostolic visitation website. More shiver-inducing than an M.R. James story. Truly, seriously unpleasant.
I would pay to see Mother Clare and Hild in a cage match. Bear in mind Hild carries a slaughter seax with a bitter edge. If that thought doesn't cheer you up, perhaps this will:
* The CDF used to be the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, the wonderful people who gave their name to the Inquisition that began in the sixteenth century (and lasted into the 18th).
** And, as our neighbour put it the other day, "They just can't stand lady parts--which includes a superior brain."
To that end, the CDF has appointed the Archbishop of Seattle, J. Peter Sartain, to lead the reform. Sartain (reportedly a moderate) and two others bishops have been tasked with forcing LCWR to kiss the ring of the Conference of Bishops. The Vatican is tired of nuns not attacking abortion, not denying birth control, and daring to suggest that healthcare for poor people is a pretty good idea. Mostly, though, the Catholic powers that be are bent out of shape by nuns challenging "positions taken by the bishops, who are the church's authentic teachers of faith and morals."**
The CDF's eight-page doctrinal assessment of LCWR says, basically: God is a boy, the Pope is a boy, and Bishops are boys, so you girls just shut up! But don't take my word for it. Read the document. Note the Orwellian language. If you're in a hurry read the AP report in the Christian Science Monitor. But you'll miss some of the creepy tenor of the original.
If it sounds as though I'm making light of this it's just to keep from getting on a plane and beating the pope bloody with a bible.
This is a deadly serious matter. Nuns are at the forefront of the social justice movement in this country. We absolutely need their voice and their back-breaking work on the behalf of the underprivileged and downtrodden.
Why is the Vatican doing this now? Well, it started four years ago. And the pace picked up after Obama's healthcare reform . This is just the latest move. This three year-old New York Times piece will give you some background. (I'll wait.)
So there have been two investigations going on, CDF's doctrinal assessment and Mother Clare's apostolic visitation. For my money, the latter is more serious. Go watch the video on the apostolic visitation website. More shiver-inducing than an M.R. James story. Truly, seriously unpleasant.
I would pay to see Mother Clare and Hild in a cage match. Bear in mind Hild carries a slaughter seax with a bitter edge. If that thought doesn't cheer you up, perhaps this will:
These nuns are not going to just roll over. I think the Vatican is about to precipitate a serious conflict. I wouldn't be surprised if, five years from now, the American Catholic church splits right down the middle. And, no, that won't please me. I grew up a Catholic. I left the church when I was sixteen: I never believed in god and I loathe/d the inherent misogyny of Catholicism. But I always liked the nuns. The nuns are the best part of the church. They are Hild's successors.
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** And, as our neighbour put it the other day, "They just can't stand lady parts--which includes a superior brain."
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I mean-- it is easy for me to say "maybe belonging to a homophobic & misogynistic club is a bad idea?"-- but I know that is only so helpful. Still, I wonder at what point people DO decide to throw in the towel on the Catholic Church. I mean-- their attacks on women are pretty bad, but people stuck by these pricks when they were involved in massive institutional coverups regarding the rapes of children. Which sounds like hyperbole...but isn't. So yeah. Not a lot of reasons to stick with the bishops & the pope if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteWell, I wouldn't become a nun, either. I hear you. But the Vatican can take away everything the nuns own--retirement funds, housing, the lot. And they will if the nuns won't toe the line. And some nuns will leave--and leave their so-vital work. So I foresee a boatload of unhappiness so all sorts of people in the near future. Sigh.
DeleteThe American Catholic Church usually doesn't stand as close to the Vatican as the pope et al think it should. I'm really surprised there hasn't been a major split already, but yes, I think it's coming too.
ReplyDeleteEven though I haven't had much personal contact with nuns, I've always put their work far above that of the men in the church. These women are doing what the church is SUPPOSED to be doing. Every day. Not living in palaces or being catered to. Shame shame shame on the church for threatening their security and holding the people nuns care for hostage to get their way.
The Church doesn't have shame. They have righteousness. And the absolute need to be *obeyed*. Sigh.
DeleteI have to say, the timing is exquisite. The gong may have once been sounding brass, but it has become cast iron, and the gong has hit with a clunk. The church that gave us liberation theology ans social justice ha returned to the inquisition and the suppression of "heretics". It didn't work the first time and I suspect it'd not going to work now. Up with the nuns!
ReplyDeleteLike any human institution, it goes through phases. And because of their anti-woman bias (thank you, St. Paul), women always suffer most.
DeleteBut it's the disobedience that gets the Vatican so pissed off. The priests who abused children weren't disobeying, just sinning.
I wonder if they'll ever get their priorities straight. Actually, no, I don't wonder. They won't.
I doubt things will ever change. Those who want to opt out do (either completely by leaving the RC altogether or by joining a Protestant church). I don't think a split is more likely with nuns than for instance with German priests or lay people who criticize the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteI was raised RC, attended parochial school, and actually lived in a convent boarding school for awhile. I left the church, and any sort of religious belief, as a young adult.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have the language of feminism when I was in those schools, but I absolutely saw those nuns as far better people than the priests. They ran the schools, had advanced degrees, were highly organized and competent -- and then some guy would come in on a brief visit, acting like a little tin god, and they all kow-towwed to him. Revolted me.
Yes, me too. I was educated by nuns. I disliked all the chaplains intensely, apart from one, Father Lucy, who essentially told me Jesus thought dykes were just fine: there's was no such thing as too much love in the world.
Delete"The CDF's eight-page doctrinal assessment of LCWR says, basically: God is a boy, the Pope is a boy, and Bishops are boys, so you girls just shut up! But don't take my word for it. Read the document."
ReplyDeletei'm awfully sorry but i simply can't read this bs (i grew up catholic myself); but: isn't god supposed to be genderless/epicene? a trinity etc.?
if you like nuns, you might like sr. pat daly:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/feb/05/5
a great activist!
kate
Nuns are everywhere...
DeleteI suggest checking out Mary Johnson's "Unquenchable Thirst"... she's also on twitter, @_maryjohnson... She has giving me great insight into the structure of the Catholic church. I view this from a sociological perspective, and believe the church is reacting to preserve its tradition. This frequently results in schism's, so the potential for a new religious movement is present. Once again, as women make progress, hegemonic structures attempt (and often succeed) to reassert their power. This is not just sad for nuns, but for all women.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Mary Johnson. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteYes, all religions are human institutions. Belief and faith are about god. Religion is about adherence to a human system. Keyword, adherence. Obedience. Subservience.
LCWR's response: "The presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was stunned by the conclusion of the doctrinal assessment of LCWR by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. We had received a letter from the CDF prefect in early March informing us that we would hear the results of the doctrinal assessment at our annual meeting; however, we were taken by surprise by the gravity of the mandate." (
ReplyDeleteWow.
I'm a recovering Catholic, and never had much contact with nuns. I had no idea this was going on.
Well, I wouldn't want to call a nun a liar to her face, but given the Apostolic Visitation etc. I'd be surprised if they were very surprised. Though I suppose we all hope for the best while planning for the worst.
DeleteThe local leader of Catholic Charities here, Sister Nancy, is fighting the BS tooth and nail. She has specifically stated that LGBTQ people are one of the groups that need compassion the most due to how society treats them. CC of Pueblo has been told that if it doesn't drop its alliance with LGBTQ groups, the big boys will cut off funding for local food-bank and immigrant assistance groups. The south part of town (south of the Arkansas River) used to be Mexico, so we have a large Hispanic population which draws new immigrants who will be screwed if funding is cut. We're also a retirement destination because of our temperate climate, so we have lots of elderly people who need assistance. Also due to our climate here, we have a higher percentage of disabled people who need aid. We have the highest percentage of people living below the poverty rate in Colorado, overall. The Vatican's BS poses a huge threat to my community. We're reeling here.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how the Vatican can see anything of Christ in holding poor people hostage over gay rights.
The Vatican is all about power and control. Obedience is their highest priority. This is business as usual. The place is run by people who are politicians first and believers second (or third, or tenth, or not at all).
DeleteThank you for posting this. I found the document from the CDF (Inquisition?) very revealing, in a creepy sort of way. It's an odd mixture: some of it clear in its demands, like the call for a "submission of intellect and will" and some of it is veiled, like the repeated references to "assisting" the LCRW.
ReplyDeleteI was also a bit amazed that the document brought up a statement from 1977 -- it seems that the Vatican has a very long memory.
And the LCRW are going to be "assisted" by the Inquisition for five years!! You might be right that this will end up in schism. The tone of the document is definitely "we always win; you will lose", but eventually that's going to fail.
The Vatican thinks they are the Borg, that resistance is futile. Often it is. This time? I'm not so sure.
DeleteThis is such a great article. I only practice Catholicism because I was inspired by these nuns' incredible grassroots-like activism. I don't think the Vatican was prepared for the massive public rallying behind these incredible women.
ReplyDeleteSomething's going to give here, and sadly, I think we're just going to see an even further dwindling of women in the church. Though if there is a break as a result of this current conflict, I'm definitely turning my back on the Vatican and following the nuns.
I think a lot of people are with you on this.
Delete