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PDF version'We wait in stubborn hope': outgoing LCWR president
Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck's departing words explore hope in the midst of darknesss
Aug. 14, 2010
Marlene Weisenbeck before presidential address
Dallas
Leadership Conference of Women Religious president, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Marlene Weisenbeck, delivered her last address as head of organization Aug. 13 in a multi-media address on the topic of hope. The theme of this year’s assembly here was “Hope in the midst of darkness,” reflecting the turbulent times Catholics and the wider world community faces.
LCWR, in particular, has gone through a difficult year. The organization is under the cloud of a Vatican doctrinal study; meanwhile, U.S. women religious communities are in the middle of a three-year Vatican investigation, officially called an Apostolic Visitation, into the quality of life in their communities.
Just last May, LCWR, along with a number of other Catholic organizations, split with the U.S. bishops in their assessments on health care legislation. The women religious supported the legislation, saying it would bring needed health care to 33 million; the U.S. bishops opposed the legislation, saying it allowed federal funding for abortions, an interpretation of the bill that LCWR did not share.
In her address, Weisenbeck termed here year of presidency as one “of contrasts and unexpected events.”
Said Weisenbeck: “We have taken pride in the ongoing ‘Women & Spirit’ exhibits, supported the efforts of the CHA [Catholic Health Association] and Network for health care reform, hailed the courage of Bishop Kevin Dowling in South Africa, and enjoyed honored recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, the Chicago Mayor and City Council, and Pax Christi. We also found ourselves quavering with the continued ecclesial inquiries and canonical assessments, shocked by the planetary quakes in Haiti and Chile, Turkey and Mexico, the Gulf oil spill, mudslides in China, and disturbed by emerging news about sex abuse scandals around the world -- not to mention the quakes that health care reform generated within our church and country.
“Amidst all the systemic unrest that these explosive events engendered, we have called ourselves to hope in the midst of darkness. We dare to articulate how our ecclesial role as women religious is calling us to mission. We do not have to mimic our founders to find the answer about how to do this. St. Francis said, ‘I have done what is mine to do. May Christ show you what is yours.’ In other words, the gospel will show us what to do, how we must act with the attitude of Jesus who emphasized an inclusive love of all in right relationships.”
LCWR president introduced for farewell address
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She told the women that hope should not be tentative or fuzzy, but rather it must be articulated clearly. She called upon them to offer a “disciplined, articulate and explicit description” of a hopeful outlook so that others can understand and appropriate it for themselves. “We must get the word out that Jesus is the center of our lives, that generosity and goodness are what the world thirsts for, that difference, diversity and dialogue are not dirty words but central to Trinitarian life at the heart of human relationships in community. We must be a testimony of hope to the world.”
Weisenbeck called upon the women to express hope as prophets, artists, healers and lovers.
- Speaking of prophecy, she said that it is necessary to discover the art of touching the heart and holding the hand of victims of injustice while also calling to truth the authors of scandal.
- Speaking of art, she said that any artist will tell us that making art can be an analogy to the experience of spiritual transformation. “When doing one’s spiritual work or creating a piece of art, a certain abandonment of the self is important,” she said. “Likewise, the artist offers herself to the creative impulse and worries not what is given the soul to reveal.”
- Speaking of healing, she said: “Today the big ecclesial questions are about who has power and authority over sacraments, governance, and how the crisis of abuse is handled. Yet these are not the central questions about deep longing that reside inside and underneath the elemental human experience lurking through our worries and complaints. Under all this are our holy longings for healing and wholeness, an ache for the infinite , and a yearning for love.” No one, she emphasized, “should come into contact with us without receiving mercy.”
- Speaking of love, she said: “Religious life must be founded on a love relationship with Christ, first and foremost. If this is not the bedrock of our life form, nothing else will have efficacy – not community life, not social justice, nor any other effort at renewal or ministry that we take on.”
LCWR President Mary HughesWeisenbeck concluded by saying that women religious have been moving for 50 years through “massive renewal and re-imagining.” “Some call it deconstruction. Now we are in the time of the Resurrection Waltz of re-integration. This still point of the turning world is where the dance is. We must shore up the foundations that make hope possible, live in hope and not just wait or look for it – ‘fierce faithfulness,’ this is called.”
Said the outgoing president: “Let us remember, however, that we will be known more by what we affirm than what we deny. Our whole being tends toward what we hope for. But we also know that the prophet, who is always concerned about a better future, is not known for nuance. Its two greatest enemies are conformity and comfort. Grounded in a sublime principle of the Second Vatican Council, we wait in stubborn hope for truth to impose itself by virtue of its essence as it wins over the mind with both gentleness and power.”
Newly elected vice president Pat Farrell
During the assembly, LCWR gave its 2010 “Outstanding Leadership Award” to Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Margaret Brennan. Brennan is a theologian, a former LCWR president, and a professor emerita of theology at Regis College (University of Toronto) where she taught for 25 years. She is author of the recently published, “What Was There for Me Once (Novalis),” a personal memoir. Brennan recently spoke to this reporter of her spiritual renewal following the Second Vatican Council, saying it was built upon three pillars: the house of prayer movement, Ignatian thought, and the entrance of women religious into deeper theological education.
Also during the assembly, LCWR elected Franciscan Sister Pat Farrell of Dubuque, Iowa as its new vice president, meaning she will assume the LCWR leadership in one year, following the term of Dominican Sister Mary Hughes who assumed the presidency at the close of the Dallas assembly. Farrell has spent extensive time in Central and South America, working as a missionary in Chile and El Salvador. Her election was seen as nod toward increasing LCWR ties with the larger world community of women religious.
[Tom Fox is NCR Editor. His e-email address is tfox@ncronline.org.]
Stories in this series of NCR's coverage of the national assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious:
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I applaud the courage and
I applaud the courage and hope of these brave women who suffer under Vatican persecution. There is an awful lot to get discouraged about both within and out of the RCC. It is these women who quietly do the hard work of the Gospel, while the bishops parade in 20 yd. red silk capes, that are showing us the way forward.
Nothing in recent years has
Nothing in recent years has touched me as powerfully as the voices of women, expecially those seeking ordination and those dedicated religious so well represented in these daily reports from Dallas. It does not give me hope in the Roman church necessarily, but certainly in the Spirit who breaths where it will. This week it was in Dallas, not Rome. Maybe we can have hope...
Dear Frank, we both were
Dear Frank, we both were impressed by the "voices" of the sisters in contrast to Cashelguy who is impressed by how they "quietly do the hard work."
I was totally buoyed to read the following challenges by Sr. Weisenbach: "We must GET THE WORD OUT that Jesus is the center of our lives...." "We must be a TESTIMONY of hope to the world." And "...she called upon the women to EXPRESS HOPE as prophets, artists, healers and lovers." She mentioned an assumed shared conviction that "We WILL BE KNOWN more by what we affirm than by what we deny."
Like you I see this Dallas conference as advocacy/counsel by the Spirit who animates our faith and can breathe life into dead bones in a desert. Our hope lies in "getting the word out...", being "testimony" ourselves of hope, and to use the suggested means to "express" that hope. I don't think we can or should leave these things to U.S. vowed religious only. We are carry the responsibilities and gifts of Baptism; we are the People of God walking with the sisters, not behind them. In my book encouragement should flow two ways.
Joan, you misunderstood my
Joan, you misunderstood my post. I applaud the voices of these nuns as much as you do. I was saying that these women do the work of the Gospels while the bishops, the ones investigating and repressing their voices, make a lot of noise but do no work.
I applaud the good sisters
I applaud the good sisters who look forward and do not slip on the foibles of some who are more interested in finding out wrong among the nuns than they are to call a strong cry for hope that is sorely needed. We are being tested daily in our Catholic lives. It is heartwarming to witness the nuns in convention commit themselves to the hope of tomorrow and not swell on the blunder of the Rode commission to investigate sisters singularly while leaving the horrendous crime of abuse and condoned abuse by bishops go by the board as though they are acceptable. Hope is so full and the sisters deserve cheers for that emphasis on their vocation.
Of such mettle are our heroes
Of such mettle are our heroes made.
These awesome Women do not
These awesome Women do not need the Vatican to do God's Work of Love!
Dump the male chauvinists!
Love,
John Chuchman, MA, CDOS
How dare you John! What right
How dare you John! What right have you to insult the hierarchy? When you separate yourself from the hierarchy you cease to be Catholic. A woman cannot be a priest; that is that. A) Your words lack any Christ-like charity and B)some of these nuns are so far to the left that at times they leave the ship of Peter. God Bless
Stephen
I have a friend who went to
I have a friend who went to that meeting and brought back hope and confidence and a guarantee that LCWR will not back down i its leadership responsibility for women religious. The "investigation" is proving to be a fiasco. Card. Rode has been replaced by an American who undersands the culture and purpose of religiouc life in America. Be strong! Be courageous! Be faithful!
Pax. Aristophilos
Actually the Cardinal was not
Actually the Cardinal was not replaced. His new secretary is considered a moderate but so was the man he replaced Fr. Guardin who was the head of the conventual franciscans.
The stones that the builders
The stones that the builders have rejected will become the cornerstones: forge on, women of God! Our hopes and prayers are with you as you model Christ for us and for those who pretend to be your superiors. May we support you and dare to imitate you on your perilous, miraculous journey!
/how come we get such a
/how come we get such a wide-ranging commentary on various church issues from Sr. Weisenbeck and so little from our one or two issue bishops ??
Why indeed? It was my
Why indeed? It was my privelege to make Franciscan pilgrimage a few years ago with Sr Weisenbeck. I'm quite sure she was called to presidency of the organization at a time when the needs of the organization collided with the Roman snoops. I found her to be at once a very knowledgeable person and yet a passionate member of her order.
Given the fact that the Vatican "visitors" have to find something to complain about, we should not be surprised when they do. The "Home Office" never sends "visitors" for the sole purpose of patting everybody on the head.
You ask, how come? Many of
You ask, how come?
Many of "Our sisters in Christ" live among the people while they are serving our Lord. Therefore, they see the need to apply Catholic teachings across a wide spectrum of issues.
On the other hand the bishops and cardinals live among the rich and mighty. The Vocal Bishops and Cardinals are cafeteria Catholics. They only pick one or two issues they like and pretend the rest of the entire body of Christian teaching is unimportant compared to their few pet causes*.
There must be some other bishops such as Dowling and Gumbleton who read the actual teachings of Our Lord and work to apply those words to our current society. Whoever these quiet ones are, no matter their number, they remain silent for one or both of two reasons; A) fear of having more than one voice expressing an understanding of Jesus’ love for all of mankind; or B)because of their ignorance of the actual damage their silence is causing the Church.
The clerical sexual scandals aside, we are in need of hearing from those silent bishops concerning Catholic social teachings and civil rights.
*(In my diocese of Bridgeport, the two favorites themes are anti-abortion and anti-homosexual. The importance of these two issues would be so much more understandable if Jesus, Himself, actually mentioned either matter. Our Lord did not seem to be one who did not speak his mind and tell us exactly what he was for and against. But, our bishop thinks these topics just slipped Jesus’ mind at the time.)
Abortion and homosexuality
Abortion and homosexuality are not mentioned by Jesus, so he was for them?
God is the author of Life. God created marriage between a man and a woman only. These nuns who have a "social justice" agenda, where they support these two intrinsic evils of our society, and then say faithful Catholics are non-charitable, and the ones who are aging and dwindling. Look at the Dominican Sisters in Nashville, with an average age of 28 years old. Why? Well, first look at them - full habits. Prayer all day long. Adoration every evening. Ditto Mother Teresa's nuns.
The ones who gave up their habits, and then pushed a social justice political agenda, are the ones who will not be around in 30 years. The ones who will be around will be those like the nuns in Nashville.
Liberal Catholics are not the correct term. That is a policial ideology. Those who disagree with the magisterium are rightfully known as protestants.
Dear "How come we get," Sr.
Dear "How come we get,"
Sr. Weisenbeck is able to cover a wide-range of issues with great knowledge because she is a woman whose spiritual gifts empower others. The all male, celibate, self-elected, (and archaic) hierarchy of the Church is all about disabling others so that they might remain as the "princes of the church"
(undercase letters intentional.)The guys might want to think twice before final judgment day though, because the spirituality of Jesus was all-inclusive, and paralleled the examples of our women religious. This is why he was brutally murdered. The "powers that be" always hate this model.
Every religious order of sisters who were a part of my own education (especially FSPAs) were women of great faith, self-discipline, and Christian role models for both women and men. I thank all of you dear sisters for all you have done for us and all you continue to do. God bless you all!
What a hopeful message!!!
What a hopeful message!!! When one thinks of what didn't happen in Dallas when the bishops met there attempting to address the scandal roaring through the church leaving many of us angry and troubled. Today in the same city of Dallas new light rises, hope is restored. Women religious walk the walk of inclusive love! Thank you
"Fierce faithfulness" applies
"Fierce faithfulness" applies perfectly to the Sisters of many religious orders today. They serve as models for me and all women who are faithful to their spiritual calling, their principles and their commitments, always depending, as the final arbiter of their moral behavior, on their informed consciences.
Well said, cashelguy and
Well said, cashelguy and Frank; these women give me hope where nearly all hope has been lost in the last few years. The Spirit is truly with them even thought there are many who will not acknowledge that. I thought Shawn Copeland said it well the other day--these sisters have, maybe unconsciously, been made a scapegoat by a church gone mediocre. Looking backwards is a way for this church to justify itself...
Time and time again, the
Time and time again, the women of LCWR, and the communities they represent, fill me with such pride. Marlene Weisenbeck, who is both a friend and the outgoing president of my community, speaks here about hope and enlivens mine. Hers is a hope that refuses to become cynical. It is a hope grounded in experience, and large enough to carry questions that don't yet have answers. It remains a sister to truth, justice and compassion. It is a hope that I believe Jesus would recognize. Thank you Marlene! Like Francis,you have done what was yours, and continues to be yours, to do--make love more present in the world.
What "hope" does the LCWR
What "hope" does the LCWR have? It is so sad to see the confusion this group has caused in America--going against the bishops, supporting Obama's pro-abortion health care bill, and other vices like homosexuality and womens' ordination. Obedience to the Church is obedience to Christ; if the LCWR wants to "move beyond Jesus" they will face their consequences. Does the LCWR really wonder why young ladies like me don't want to join their drum circles?
We want to be Brides of Christ, obedient to Him and His Church... we want to honor Mother Mary, not mother earth. The way forward is for the LCWR to lose their pride, and return to the Church Christ founded. He is the only prophet we should follow (not buddha, mohammed, siva, lilith, beezlebub, Joan Chittisier) and anyone who thinks they know better makes themselves vulnerable to the enemy.
As far as being "well represented".... Did you know there are MANY sisters caught in LCWR orders who are not allowed to speak to the Apostolic Visitation? The community leaders threaten anyone who talks to the AV when they come. Here the Vatican is trying to provide an opportunity to listen to sisters with real concerns, and their OWN leaders are stifling them! Where is the peace and justice in this? If you want to know what is REALLY going on, check out Sisters Supporting the Apostolic Visitation to hear from those who are being totally ignored.
katie can you provide any
katie can you provide any evidence at all for any phrase in this unsupportable diatribe?
like, for starters:
pro-abortion health care bill?
just asking, ok?
Thank you for your strong
Thank you for your strong words stubborn hope and fierce faithfulness! I pray that all we meet will receive Mercy.
Amen to all who are not
Amen to all who are not afraid to speak the truth, and for all of us who were deeply inspired by the Women of Spirit exhibit. Many of our mothers have been examples of oppression by the Church ,including male control of reproductive rights.Thank God we have the sisters who have been carrying out most of the social justice work since Vatican II, and who still have hope.
The problem is that the
The problem is that the vision espoused by LCWR does not attract vocations. Instead of digging in their heals, perhaps the leadership should be truly prophetic and try a different approach.Perhaps they should see the merits and truely prophetic visions of those traditional minded orders that have young sisters and are growing each year rather than dying on the vine.
Dearest Women of Faith, I was
Dearest Women of Faith,
I was listening to the Health Care debate when the announcement was made which you refer to:
"...LCWR, along with a number of other Catholic organizations, split with the U.S. bishops in their assessments on health care legislation. The women religious supported the legislation, saying it would bring needed health care to 33 million; the U.S. bishops opposed the legislation, saying it allowed federal funding for abortions, an interpretation of the bill that LCWR did not share..." I knew at that moment how important the statement was to the success of the bill and was awaiting the coming reaction(s)from the Bishops. Thank you for standing up.
I am so encouraged by your presence and positions. Thank you for having the strength to do what is needed. To stand strong for the truth. Is there anything to be done to help the LCWR in these times?
Keep up the good work, Women
Keep up the good work, Women of Courage!
God does not discriminate by
God does not discriminate by gender, cultures of people do. Blocking the fullness of God to women is a very serious sin indeed. Done with full knowledge. This is no longer acceptable. These men are not uneducated as in the past, but fully aware of the harm it causes. Christ died for all of us, both men and women. Permission granted to all hear hear the calling of God.
So much self-congratulatory
So much self-congratulatory stuff and yet...how many sisters are left in the US? How many of these congregations are about to go extinct for lack of growth? Which congregations are growing and why?
The ladies discussed none of these questions. They were like the pretty orchestra that played while the Titanic sank. Inspiring, but futile against the iceberg.
-Theo
and you, Theo, are that
and you, Theo, are that iceberg?
just asking, dude
“Today the big ecclesial
“Today the big ecclesial questions are about who has power and authority over sacraments, governance..."
These are not big questions for Catholics. They are big questions for Episcopalians, I suppose.
Mark Duch on Aug. 16,
Mark Duch on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
(“Today the big ecclesial questions are about who has power and authority over sacraments, governance..."
These are not big questions for Catholics. They are big questions for Episcopalians, I suppose.)
------------------------------------
I suggest that for openers, you click onto the Cleveland PlainDealer and look at the people of urban St. Peter's Church. Their beautiful church was closed by Bishop Lennon. They are worshipping in an old building on Euclid Street---conducting Sunday liturgy. It is very much an issue for them and for many other Catholic in the US and across the world. You might also check and see what is going on with the people of St. Mary's Church in Brisbane, AU---who have questioned why their church was to be closed. They, too, question who does have the power and authority over sacraments and governance.
This will continue to be a question for Catholics----and it isn't going away.
Mark Dutch if you wish to
Mark Dutch if you wish to misrepresent what someone said, simply edit carefully. You have maliciously left out what was said. For her the big question is not governance but essence and mercy. Read the whole paragraph, dude! The big questions of governance are by those lost bureaucrats in ROMe and in American purple who do not honestly comprehend and live their calling and episcopal ordinations.
Here it is
========================
Speaking of healing, she said: “Today the big ecclesial questions are about who has power and authority over sacraments, governance, and how the crisis of abuse is handled. Yet these are not the central questions about deep longing that reside inside and underneath the elemental human experience lurking through our worries and complaints. Under all this are our holy longings for healing and wholeness, an ache for the infinite , and a yearning for love.” No one, she emphasized, “should come into contact with us without receiving mercy.”
What a profound statement!
What a profound statement! "...we wait in stubborn hope for truth to impose itself by virtue of its essence." I really can't imagine a more appropriate statement as a way forward to deal with the ills of this world as described by Sister Weisenbeck. Of course it raises the age-old question: What is truth?
As Sister Weisenbeck implies, we will know it when we "see" it by virtue of its "essence." Is that possible? Operating on the level of the intellect, probably not . . . an opinion I have, based on years of reading what others have said about "truth." There are as many opinions of what truth is as there are opionmakers and none of their ideas are particulary enlightening.
But, what if the essence of truth could be found elsewhere . . . I mean some place other than intellectual discourse?
Wasn't it Jesus who said: "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free?" Wasn't he speaking about the "essence of truth?" I think he was and I also believe he showed us the way to find that "essence of truth."
Unfortunately, that path was crushed when the Gnostic Christians were driven underground by the "orthodox Christians" who founded the Roman Catholic Church.
Fortunately, within the past several decades, numerous Gnostic documents have surfaced from their hding places in Egypt. What they reveal is what Jesus was also saying . . . besides the parables we read in the New Testament.
And what he was saying is, "Go within to find the essence of truth."
"I tell you," he said, "there is light within man." In the Gnostic gospel of Thomas, there are 114 sayings attributed to Jesus and half of them involve going within to find one's own truth . . . the light of one's own being, which is essentially love. The remainder of the sayings are mainly parables, some of which are found in the New Testament.
There are other Gnostic gospels that have him saying the same thing: "The Kingdom of God is within." "Ask it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you." Those are Jesus' promises to each of us. If we want to know the "essense of truth" all we have to do is do what he suggests. There is even a technique--for going within--provided in one of the Gnostic gospels that involves chanting sacred words and vowels.
In the Gnostic gospel, "The Testimony of Truth" one comes to the essence of truth through meditative silence, not through discourse, not even through understanding what Jesus is saying. What Jesus says is on the level of the intellect, but one must go within to find the truth, the light within, of which Jesus speaks.
Essentialy, one must transcend the intellect (or intellectual discourse) to find the essence of truth. We have available to us in modern times a technique to do just that; it is simple, easy and effective.
My novel, THE MICHELANGELO DECEPTION, discusses these issues is depth. It is available on Amazon.com for $9.99.
and none of this would have
and none of this would have happened if the nuns had kept the simple habit and veil.
Anonymous on Aug. 16,
Anonymous on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
"and none of this would have happened if the nuns had kept the simple habit and veil."
------------------------------------------
And with global warming occuring and this summer being one of the hottest on record, I'd like to see you prancing around in wool or gaberdine habits with all the heavy starched wimples (that permits no air onto the ears, hair, and neck.)
That is one of the reasons that the Vatican told the Sisters to get out of those habits. They were unhealthy, and unsanitary. They were the Catholic version of the Islamic burqa.
Little Bear: You have no idea
Little Bear:
You have no idea what you're talking about.
none of what?
none of what?
I have always known it would
I have always known it would be 'women' and women alone who would answer the call to awaken a new church. It is time to move out of the Roman Arena that houses much pathology. It is time to lead the people, to open the widows and doors, to focus on inclusion, to model like Jesus. He spoke out against the moneychangers in the temple and went out on his own to preach social change and healing. Women religious are being called to do likewise. The hope spoken of rests with you. It is time to say 'no, no more to Rome' it is time to take the reins and lead.
These women live in apostasy.
These women live in apostasy. Pray for their souls.
gc5341 on Aug. 16, 2010. You
gc5341 on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
"These women live in apostasy. Pray for their souls."
------------------------------------------------------
Another self appointed member of the Catholic Taliban! If you were in the Islamic nations---you would be going around beating women and stoning them for slight infractions against your own concept of Shariah law.
You are not better than those extreme fundamentalists. They think that they are offering worship to Allah by their actions. You think that by claiming that the Sisters are in apostasy---God is pleased with your position. The Jews killed the Prophets---and thought that they were giving worship to God.
to gc5341: I'll for your
to gc5341: I'll for your soul and salvation.
how so, gc, when not even
how so, gc, when not even Rode can find any fault within them?
do you know more and better than Rode?
If they can't agree to basic
If they can't agree to basic Catholic tenets, why do they like to call themselves Catholic? Last I heard there was suppose to be a moratorium on the issue of women being ordained. They are not awesome but they are heretics. They need to quit calling themselves Catholic. Thankfully they appear to be old and not many new are being called to their lives. Ladies,notice how the other orders that have discipline, obedience and the habit are growing? hmmm
Anonymous on Aug. 16, 2010.
Anonymous on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
"If they can't agree to basic Catholic tenets, why do they like to call themselves Catholic? Last I heard there was suppose to be a moratorium on the issue of women being ordained. They are not awesome but they are heretics. They need to quit calling themselves Catholic. Thankfully they appear to be old and not many new are being called to their lives. Ladies,notice how the other orders that have discipline, obedience and the habit are growing? hmmm"
----------------------------------------------
How about you writing to your bishop and tell him that he should have 'discipline, and obedience (to the words of Jesus---who stated that the Apostles were to shun ALL forms of power-seeking---fancy homes, cars, clothing, jewerly, special titles,etc.). Tell HIM that he should wear simple clothing---and see what answer you get. Is your diocese growing? Has your bishop cooked meals for the hungry? Has your bishop personally comforted victims of violent crime? Has your bishop stood up for peace and led the people in the ways of peace? Has your bishop gone to a hospital emergency room to see what the poor really do without insurance? Has your bishop sold his mansion and moved into a simple dwelling? Does your bishop have a matching jeweled cross and ring for each day of the week? (I know of at least one bishop who has 7 special sets).
And as far as the 'moratorium' as you call it on the issue of women being ordained---the last time that I heard---the guy who stated it---died. It is not a matter of Dogmatic Belief---that women can't be priests. Jesus Ordained NOBODY at the Last Supper. He gave his followers the right to "DO this in Memory of Me"---he never excluded women from anything (he didn't just travel around with 12 Apostles---but with a company of people---many of whom were women). The women knew his teachings as well as the men---they sat at his feet---just like rabbinical students did.
So who in the Church has the right to say that women can't be presiders at the liturgy---when Jesus didn't shoo the women away---and Jesus did not ordain anybody to be a priest (or bishop either). St. Paul ordained men as bishop---but Jesus never did. Nor is it written anywhere (scriptures or otherwise) that the 12 Apostles ordained anyone bishop or priest.
LittleBear, So right you
LittleBear,
So right you are!
OUR bishop drives around in a Cadillac!
WWJD?
what basic Catholic tenets,
what basic Catholic tenets, anonynous? Love thy enemy? Matthew 25? the Sermon on the Mount? THe Magnificat? Announcing Good NEws to the Poor and a Jubillee YEar in which debts are forgotten?
which basic Catholic tenets
Maybe because small minds can
Maybe because small minds can only hold a couple of thoughts at the same time without "freezing up"???
Beloved sisters, you arre
Beloved sisters, you arre light and hope to all "sisters" everywhere.
Be blessed and bathed in the Light of the Spirit!
The LCWR is a women's club
The LCWR is a women's club that still celebrates the worst era of modern church history - namely, the post-Vatican II era, 1965-1975. At least the persecutions of the church throughout the 19th century resulted in martyrs for the faith and a glowing rebirth of religious life throughout Europe, and thence to America. The LCWR presides over the obsequies of classic religious life that they systematically and intentionally destroyed.
Of course, the Church invited the dissolution of women's religious life by the conciliar imperative that religious societies 'rediscover' their mission. Influenced by the Marxist wing of the church, so popular at that time [especially among the Jesuits and other missionary groups], religious societies reinvented themselves -- not in the image of Christ, or his Mother -- but in the image of 'relevant' mid-Twentieth-century socialism - which they still appear to consider the path to the Kingdom of God.
Undeterred by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the implosion of Russian communism, or the current bankruptcy of post-Christian European socialism, they continue to sing the secular songs of a socialist & political worldview. These pathetic, aging, spinster women fundamentally despise the church and have the hubris to consider theirs the true work of the church. Their noble foundresses would not recognize the so-called 'religious life' that the member societies of the LCRW have created.
These foundresses would also
These foundresses would also not recognize the world described by theoretical physics and astrophysics, wouldn't know what an airplane was, and might very well think radio, cell phones, and television were supernatural miracles--welll maybe not if the TV was turned to Glen Beck.
St Chad on Aug. 16, 2010.
St Chad on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
"The LCWR is a women's club that still celebrates the worst era of modern church history - namely, the post-Vatican II era, 1965-1975. At least the persecutions of the church throughout the 19th century resulted in martyrs for the faith and a glowing rebirth of religious life throughout Europe, and thence to America. The LCWR presides over the obsequies of classic religious life that they systematically and intentionally destroyed.
Of course, the Church invited the dissolution of women's religious life by the conciliar imperative that religious societies 'rediscover' their mission. Influenced by the Marxist wing of the church, so popular at that time [especially among the Jesuits and other missionary groups], religious societies reinvented themselves -- not in the image of Christ, or his Mother -- but in the image of 'relevant' mid-Twentieth-century socialism - which they still appear to consider the path to the Kingdom of God.
Undeterred by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the implosion of Russian communism, or the current bankruptcy of post-Christian European socialism, they continue to sing the secular songs of a socialist & political worldview. These pathetic, aging, spinster women fundamentally despise the church and have the hubris to consider theirs the true work of the church. Their noble foundresses would not recognize the so-called 'religious life' that the member societies of the LCRW have created."
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The hierarchy is a all BOYS club---who do not exactly give witness to what Jesus called them to be. As far as your social & political worldview is concerned----it is not the view of Jesus. Jesus tells us that we will be judged not by our adhearance to dogma, doctrine or any other position---but did we feed the poor, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the sick, the imprisoned, etc. When has this current Pope, the Cardinals, or the Bishops done any of these things? A person can count on one hand how many of them are REAL shepherds.
The Sisters have and still do these things. The LCRW---authorizes and provides for their Sisters to do these Corporal Works of Mercy (using the traditional name for them). That is all that Jesus is going to ask us at our deaths. These Sisters were founded in the 18th and 19th centuries JUST TO DO THAT---and make no mistake about it. Love of God and Love of Neighbor is at the heart of all of these communities.
Love of power and authority is at the heart of the hierarcy in America. You sitting at home ought to follow these brave LCRW Sisters around and see exactly how much they do for others. Then match it with how much your Bishop does (he's probably an Ecclesiastical Republican---since the 1920's American Bishops have been basically Republicans---big on authority, power! To Hell with the poor, simple people.
Well, it's not quite that
Well, it's not quite that simple. Following the Gospel [that God became incarnate: 'And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.'] has at least two major dimensions: 1. Faith, and 2. Works. FAITH is about belief in God, Christian belief, right belief (catholic orthodoxy) which includes affirming the truths about God and his plan for us, as revealed in Jesus Christ and taught by the Church. Christian belief inspires us to a life of prayer and worship. If you think religious belief (including doctrine and dogma) doesn't account for much, I suggest you re-read the New Testament, including ALL the express teachings of Christ himself.
Faith gives rise to WORKS, which spring from our faith, and from the example and teachings of Our Lord and the saints. Loving our neighbor (not to say our enemies), caring for widows and orphans, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners, etc. - the good works that Christians undertake are exceedingly diverse, and I would be hard pressed to order them in importance.
One of the great works of religious women [in the benighted past] was educating Catholic children. Of this I can be sure: that was an extremely important work ... right up there with soup kitchens, homes for abused women, prison ministries, and running hospitals.
As for the institutional church of which you speak (the all boys' club) - quite apart from the religious societies, it spends untold millions of dollars each year on important works of charity around the country and around the world. Sister Peggy's work with the homeless is not the only good work being done in the Catholic Church - it just isn't. I take nothing from the charitable works done by sisters in religious life - God bless them. But the Catholic hierarchy of the United States do their part, as well, and in a big way. A bishop's job is to run a diocese and enable others to do the works of mercy in the name of the church. It is uncharitable and untrue to say that bishops do not care about the poor, etc. Likewise, the Pope sponsors important charitable endeavors in his role as Pope and as Bishop of Rome. That aside, in his role as head of the Church, the Pope brings enormous spiritual gifts, and most importantly, the Christian message to an unbelieving world. Like the President of the US, he doesn't need to be shoveling oil on Gulf beaches to be doing an important work.
But to return to my comments about the LCRW. The firebrand sisters that mock and repudiate the church's teachings need to stop calling theirs a "religious" life, and call it somethings else (Society of social workers, community organizers, or whatever); because fundamentally, religious life is built on prayer, worship, a devout spiritual life, and fidelity to the Church. Works do not substitute for that 'religious' dimension of the religious life.
There is little point in arguing about this. Religious life [so called] in the 'activist' societies largely represented by the LCWR is slowly (or quickly in many cases) grinding to a halt. They have no significant number of new vocations, and that means they have no future. No vocations also says, more eloquently than words, that nobody is interested is what they are about (certainly not young Catholic American women planning their futures). Compare that to the rather remarkable growth in more traditional religious orders and societies.
The II Vatican Council inspired - paradoxically or intentionally - iconoclasm and rebellion within the Church. The enthusiasm for the Social Gospel (a 19th century movement of liberal Protestantism, by the way) found fertile ground among women's communities that were looking for a new identity and 'relevant' missions for their de-cloistered members. But that rebellious spirit is largely over within the Church. The competition for Catholic hearts today is secularism, consumerism, unbelief, and irreligion.
Finally, may I venture to say that the greatest work of the Catholic Church - and the only work it is expressly commanded to do by divine law - is the worship of Almighty God. It is not an option for the interested few; it is the very life of the Church.
Correct. The "All-Boy's Club"
Correct.
The "All-Boy's Club" doesn't really study what the historical Jesus taught.
After a few hundred years some bishop decided to invent papal "authority," and any traces of the role of women in the early Church were erased by them on purpose to strengthen their power.
I wonder... as an active lay Catholic, am I contributing to this enablement,
or is it time to follow the Spirit of Christ in a different denomination?
I always thought that I would remain in the Church to help it change, but I have NEVER been more discouraged than I am at this point in time...
I'm sorry...I missed
I'm sorry...I missed something in the translation. You're saying:
1. that the 'invention' of papal authority has a direct link to the Church's tradition of not ordaining women? [A curious theory]
2. You know more about the teaching of the 'historical' Jesus than bishops, priests, even popes. [Are they simply ignorant; or do they know, and just don't tell anyone?]
3. You are discouraged by the (insignificant) role of women in the Church, and your continued membership in the Catholic church hinges on the prospects that the church will someday ordain women? [Do you actually think this will happen in your lifetime, or ever?]
So why, exactly, do you continue to be 'an active lay Catholic'?
Yes, these remarkable LCWR
Yes, these remarkable LCWR women are respected and loved by Catholic, Protestants and even non-believers who see their great value in a world that is starved for love and dignity. They are not only "women of God" they are voices of hope in a Church and a world that have forgotten what it means to follow Jesus by His example. Go sisters!
I would love to disagree with
I would love to disagree with the Church on a number of issues relying on my own whims too.
I just cannot bring myself to be so arrogant.
Paul Hughes on Aug. 16,
Paul Hughes on Aug. 16, 2010.
You stated:
"I would love to disagree with the Church on a number of issues relying on my own whims too.
I just cannot bring myself to be so arrogant."
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Maybe you just don't have the courage! Whims! You call it----what a little world you live in! You are not a woman---so what do you know about any of the issues women face?
It doesn't matter whether it is the Catholic Church with its spiritual Shariah laws or the world of Islam with its physical enforcement of Shariah, it is oppression. And to stand up to oppression takes courage---the kind that too many men do not have---because they are blind to the oppression.
The Sisters, unlike so many other women of the world, are well educated, and deeply spiritual. Unlike the hierarchs prancing around the Vatican and in our dioceses---these women believe in God and in the power of the Spirit working in them. The chief exorcist of the Vatican stated back in February---that there were many cardinals who do not believe in God. If they did---they would not be such powerhungry demigogs!
Oh, really, Paul? Did you
Oh, really, Paul? Did you read this here statement before submitting it? Read it now!
God Bless these incredibly
God Bless these incredibly brilliant, wise & selfless women! If only they were the ones "in-charge" !
As a male, I say: "throw the men out NOW" !
This was a beautiful message
This was a beautiful message and testimony to the wonderful work of our women religious. I couldn't help but think what a refreshing contrast this address was compared to what we hear from some of our bishops. Thank you, Sisters, for all the work you do to make visible the face of Christ in our world.
I simply cannot understand
I simply cannot understand why Women Religious --- true Saints --- stay within this Church! Rome is the Devil on Earth!! -- from the Pope down to his Parish Priests!
We need another Martin Luther!!!
Chuck from Minneapolis
I think Chuck has clearly
I think Chuck has clearly stated where his allegiances lie.
Too many here on this blog
Too many here on this blog read past what Sister Marlene Weisenbeck said :
“Today the big ecclesial questions are about who has power and authority over sacraments, governance, and how the crisis of abuse is handled. Yet these are not the central questions about deep longing that reside inside and underneath the elemental human experience lurking through our worries and complaints....."
So church governance should not be so central an issue!! Sounds good to me!
Sometimes I think all this constant attention on church governance comes from the Evil One!
Really, Mike? And here I
Really, Mike? And here I thought it came with Wojtyla . . .
It is edifying in the extreme
It is edifying in the extreme to know that such viewpoints as were being iterated by Sister Marlene and her LCWR cohorts are vanishing from the landscape of serious dialogue and discourse in the Church. These aging nuns are seeing their influence waning in the Church while the future is clearly visible in the orders that are faithful to their founders' ideals and the charisms of their orders, are faithful to the teaching of the Church in its fullness, faithful to the bishops of the dioceses in which they serve and faithful to the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ. The past forty-plus years have indeed been dark and full of turmoil, but, God be praised, the future is bright.
it would be extremely
it would be extremely edifying to learn why you left the sem brojo, but perhaps this unedifying statement tells us
Brother Joseph: Your
Brother Joseph: Your assessment is correct, of course. The LCWR societies and their supporters have little to contribute to the important religious issues of TODAY. They live in a reverie inspired by a social gospel enthusiasm which has captured the imagination of parts of the church from time to time over the past two hundred years or so. To be sure, these are truly important concerns: the care of the poor, the sick, and the dying; the education of children; etc; and they have been a focus of the charity of the church from the beginning. But Catholicism is not uni-dimensional. It is not a divine social work association. Indeed, its primary mission is to preach the Gospel of Christ, to worship God, and to save souls for an eternal life with God.
Where I differ from you is in thinking that the future of the Catholic Church is bright. I do not think so. The social work view of the Church's mission is boldly presented by many contributors to this discussion. It is a view widely held within the Church. It is also true that many people in the Church today despise the Church and all that they think it represents -- wealth, boys’ club, oppressor of women, intolerant, judgmental, indifferent to the needs of the poor, etc. – it’s all rehearsed again and again here in this blog discussion. Criticizing the church has become the most popular sport of Catholics, made all the more justified by the painful clergy sex-abuse scandal. However informed and sincere her critics, I don’t think the Roman Catholic Church has ever lived through a period before when so many of the laity felt so estranged from the Church that they regularly attend. It is a situation that is very disheartening to priests who face angry critics of the church every day in their parishes, in secular media, and even in the National Catholic Reporter.
I think the near future will see more polarization within the church, not less, over several divisive issues. These include, for example, women's ordination, & the related issues of the feminist agenda for the church; the increasing tolerance of contraception, divorce, and even abortion among many Catholics; the wide divergence between the Novus Ordo and Traditionalists in liturgical matters; and the continuing debate over the celibate priesthood, and the push for allowing married priests. These and other issues, it seems to me, are likely to lead to division, open revolt, and certainly departures from the Church; an increasing loss of membership to liberal Protestantism; and the loss of many more to secularism and irreligion.
These poor dinosaurs are the
These poor dinosaurs are the last gasp of a dying breed of religious women who've lost their way long ago.
The growing orders are dynamic and orthodox at the same time. They are the future.
S Marlene - thank you for
S Marlene - thank you for your courage and strength. You are a role model to many
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