The USCCB has sent us the text of Archbishop Peter Sartain’s response to the LCWR’s statement this morning:

Archbishop Peter Sartain; June 1, 2012; Response to LCWR statement of this morning.

Both the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and I are wholeheartedly committed to dealing with the important issues raised by the Doctrinal Assessment and the LCWR Board in an atmosphere of openness, honesty, integrity and fidelity to the Church’s faith. I look forward to our next meeting in Rome in June as we continue to collaborate in promoting the important work of the LCWR for consecrated life in the United States. The Holy See and the Bishops of the United States are deeply proud of the historic and continuing contribution of women religious – a pride that has been echoed by many in recent weeks. Dramatic examples of this can be witnessed in the school system and in the network of Catholic hospitals established by sisters across America which are lasting contributions to the wellbeing of our country.

At the same time Patricia Farrell, OSF, president of the LCWR, spoke to NCR of the LCWR meeting that led to their statement: 

There was an overall mood of really serious, prayerful reflection, I would say — a gamut of emotions of ups and downs.  But I would say that the major thing is that it was a real consolation for all of us to finally be together in one place and to be able to process some of the feelings around this, and to share some of the feelings and reactions we’ve received from women in our regions of LCWR and to finally be able to talk about that face to face. We’re all aware of the import and the seriousness of this.

 

The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.