Nun Justice, rising!
As I’m sure you’ve heard, the Nun Justice Project launched this petition just ten days ago:
On April 18, 2012, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a crackdown on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), an umbrella group that represents more than 80 percent of the 57,000 women religious in the United States.
We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). We are shocked by the Roman Catholic hierarchy’s recent crackdown on nuns in the United States. The mandate forced upon LCWR, which threatens their works of justice, is a prime example of how the hierarchy in the Roman Catholic Church misuses its power to diminish the voice of women. We value the prophetic witness of women religious and appreciate their commitment to social justice. We are asking that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith respectfully withdraw the mandate forced upon LCWR.
Now with over 24,000 signatures, the Nun Justice Project is organizing weekly vigils across the country, each Tuesday from May 8th – May 29th in support of our sisters and LCWR. Please contact nunjustice@gmail.com for more information and to get involved locally. Media kits, prayers, and local contacts will be made available soon.
Recommended reading:
We are All Nuns: Nicholas Kristof, New York Times
We are All Nuns: Mary E. Hunt, Religion Disbatches
Bullying the Nuns: Garry Wills, NYT Book Review
Having the Sisters’ Back: Jim Wallis, Sojourners
For ongoing coverage and updates, visit: Sisters Under Scrutiny on the National Catholic Reporter online, and http://nunjustice.tumblr.com/