Church Male Hierarchy Judging

To the Editor:

The National Catholic Reporter (April 18, 2012) reported that “the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has ordered the largest leadership organization for U.S. women religious to reform its statutes, programs and affiliations to conform more closely to the teachings and discipline of the church.”

The Vatican appointed Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain to oversee the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, giving him the power to review and revise the organization’s policies. The male hierarchy wants control over them. This attack also serves as a distraction from the bishops’ horrific job regarding the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.

Have you ever compared the lifestyles of the hierarchy to that of the women religious? Did you ever see Jesus pictured in expensive vestments or miters?

Who is judging those “worthy” to receive the Eucharist? Who still doesn’t protect children from clerical sex and wastes vast amounts of money due to self-serving principles?

Now who is helping people of all walks of life? The women religious have created a school system, long educating Catholics and non-Catholics, including many poor and neglected by others.

They built a Catholic hospital system that continues to care for the needy. They work for social justice, lobby Congress on behalf of the poor, and promote peace.

They have opposed nuclear weapons, war and torture, risking arrest and serving time in prison, yet they’re the ones being investigated and censured. Does anyone care?