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Vatican asks U.S. bishops to fund $1.1 million sisters study
Cardinal Rodé asks bishops to send money directly to his congregation
Sep. 28, 2009
Cardinal Franc Rodé (CNS photo)
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PDF versionThe projected cost of a three-year study of U.S. women religious congregations is $1.1 million and Rome has asked the U.S. bishops to provide funds to offset these expenses, according to a letter by Slovenian Cardinal Franc Rodé, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and obtained by NCR.
“We have a projected budget of $1,100,000 for the three years which the total work of the apostolic visitations will require,” Rodé wrote in a July 14 letter. “I am asking you, my brother bishops, for your help in offsetting the expenses which will be incurred by this work for the future of apostolic religious life in the United States.”
Since the Vatican announced the study last December, it has never publicly stated how much it estimates the comprehensive inquiry will cost or who will pay for it. A Vatican document sent to the heads of U.S. women’s congregations last summer suggested that those chosen for on-site visitations defray costs by paying for and hosting visitation teams, “and, if at all possible, transportation costs related to the visit.”
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Read the full Rode letter here.
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In an interview last July with Catholic News Service, Mother Mary Clare Millea, superior general of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, chosen by Rodé to be apostolic visitator and head of the investigation, declined to discuss costs or funding. However, Millea told CNS that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops would not be funding the effort.
“Anyone who has contributed has not wanted their name to be publicized,” she said. “The [Vatican] congregation is conducting the visitation so they're ultimately responsible for financing it,” she said. “We have a project that is going to last three years. We are welcoming the support of individual dioceses, individuals or groups who would be willing to help defray the expenses.”
Rodé’s July letter came in the form of a general appeal to U.S. bishops. It was addressed: “Your Eminence/Your Excellency” and began with an explanation: “My dear brother bishops in the United States, as you are aware, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, in an audience on Nov. 17, 2008, authorized an apostolic visitation of the principal institutes of apostolic women religious in the United States.”
His letter went on to say, “We count on your support in this effort to:
- “look into the quality of the life of apostolic women religious in the United States
- “learn more about the varied and unique ways in which apostolic women religious contribute to the welfare of the church and society
- “assist the church to strengthen, enhance and support the growth of the apostolic congregations to which approximately 59,000 women religious in the United States belong.”
The letter said, “May I suggest that the donations you wish to make be sent to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 00120 Vatican City State, Europe. Please specify that it is to be used for the ‘Apostolic Visitation of Institutes of Women Religious in the United States.’ ”
Since the Vatican announced the investigation it has had both supporters and critics among women religious. Those favoring the study point to a decline in numbers among women religious as well as a relative independence from Rome as they carry out their apostolic missions. Those critical of the study say it is unnecessary, demeaning, deflects focus from more pressing problems among the clergy, and is being carried out in secrecy. When the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an umbrella organization for 95 percent of U.S. women religious, met in New Orleans in August, it called upon the Vatican to be transparent in conducting the study and open in sharing results before any recommendations are made.
The Vatican apostolic visitation working paper, officially called an instrumentum laboris, specifies that Millea is to be responsible for transmitting a detailed and confidential report to the Vatican congregation upon completion of the study.
The investigation has several phases: The first phase, which ended July 31, involved interviews with religious superiors. The second calls on congregation heads to fill out and return quantitative and qualitative questionnaires relating to congregational religious life. These questionnaires were mailed out in mid-August and congregation heads have until Nov. 1 to return them to Millea. The third phase, likely the most costly of the study, calls for on-site team visits to select congregations. These are to be conducted by teams consisting of vowed religious appointed by Millea, with the approval of the Vatican.
There are 341 religious institutes of women in the United States with approximately 59,000 women religious. Communities of cloistered, contemplative nuns are not officially part of the study.
Thomas C. Fox is NCR editor and can be reached at tfox@ncronline.org.
Does it get any more
Does it get any more ludicrous? In the middle of a major recession when our foolish bishops have to pay millions to settle sex abuse crimes that they covered up and these same bishops have to close parishes and schools for lack of funds, the Vatican wants them pay for a witch hunt against these good sisters.
Let's see if there is a single bishop who has the guts to say NO.
I totally agree with this
I totally agree with this comment. The proposed studey is unwarrented and the funding request is plain stupid.
This is utterly insane. My
This is utterly insane. My contributions will not be used by my bishop to fund this witch hunt. I will send my money to the local food bank.
LOL
LOL
Chutzpah is not the only word
Chutzpah is not the only word that comes to mind!
Two things --
FIRST:
The Holy See has the periodic reports submitted, as required, by the leadership of every apostolic congregation of women religious.
PLEASE, READ THEM.
SECOND:
An exhibition mounted by the Leadership Council of Women Religious in now in Texas. It will be there until when it travels to Washington, D.C. The exhibit entitled, "Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America, tells how sisters played a vital role in shaping American life from before the earliest days of the republic and throughout its history.
The exhibition sponsored by the Leadership Council of Women Religious in now in Texas where it will be until December 13, 2009 when it travels to Washington, D.C., opening on January 15, 2010 at the Smithsonian-International Gallery in the Dillon Ripley Center. More information may be found at:
http://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exhibit.htm
PLEASE, VISIT IT.
It will be interesting to find out just how the bishops respond, individually and collectively through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, SNDdeN
New Castle,
Delaware
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com
No one is investigating the
No one is investigating the sisers from the last few centuries. The investigation is of those who claim to be Catholic religious TODAY. My team may have won a world series 40 years ago. That does not mean they must be a good baseball team today.
I agree with your comments,
I agree with your comments, 100%!
Hey, why not? After all,
Hey, why not? After all, they are lavishing large amounts of LAY PEOPLE'S money on legislation that will prevent LAY PEOPLE'S same-gender children from getting married.
Nothing like using OTHER PEOPLE'S money to fund your dirty work.
Thomas - you are right on
Thomas - you are right on target. Let's have a witch hunt and go after those American ladies. We need to take the focus off of those poor priests that messed with those kids. Oh, by the way, you all can pay for it. And let's have it be really comfortable for us so cough up $1.1 Million. Right! Are we back in the Middle Ages or what? Keep it up Rome and see how many Catholics drift off to some place where the hierarchy actually cares for the people and not just themselves.
On target. I find the whole
On target. I find the whole "study" outrageous. Cardinal Rode must be told to tell the Pope that he has to pay for the study. Let's not burden the American Catholics with any more of Rome's nonsense. I hope people know that many of us are simply no longer paying any attention to Rome or the American Bishops who are too afraid to act as they should and defy Rome's purely hostile nonsense against our American Church. I pray for the courage to break from Rome. I encourage the establishment of an American Catholic Church with no ties to Rome.
Mr. Muldoon, An excellent
Mr. Muldoon,
An excellent commentary. I agree with you 100%, and it will indeed be interesting so see what the position of the bishops will be. So far I don't believe one can award them any prize for taking any stallwart, valient position.
Un abrazo, P. Geraldo Dreiling.
It is more than ludicrous, it
It is more than ludicrous, it is obscene. These are American bishops who are being asked to participate in this sinful and un-American inquisition of our beloved Sisters. Cardinal Rode' is from a backward, dictatorial Balkan area, educated presumably at Vatican expense. He knows nothing of our diverse and democratic cultures, our ways and our concerns. Please with ever clout you have call upon our bishops, unfortunately not known for their fortitude, to strongly deny Rode's incredible request together with a holy scathing letter as to the total impropriety of interfering in the conduct of American people in such an outlandish, unacceptable and fascist manner. If our bishops do not have the strength to deny Rode' on religious and moral grounds, perhaps they can fall back on their good strong American guts.
Let's hope they say NO. It's
Let's hope they say NO. It's not their money. It's MINE.
Dear Bishops, If you want to
Dear Bishops,
If you want to interogate us with the economy so poor and the poor getting poorer, please don't ask us sisters to contribute.
You have not settled what the priests have done. Are you trying to investigate us to draw attention away from what your priests and bishops have done? Are you afraid of us women who are working for the poor, are teaching the poor and have given our lives to Christ and to his Church.
We are educated women and can think for ourselves. I hope you are not implying that we are not faithful to the Church especially when you men, priests, bishops have molested children and then said Mass the next day.
You do know that what the priests and bishops have done have hurt us also. We have had to defend the Church as we console the victims of this abuse--we have had to tell others that there are good men in the Church. Of course, we also have to try to defend the Church who discriminates against us women--however, I don't know why.
Sure, let us keep hiding from
Sure, let us keep hiding from Catholic people the facts involving the fallen state of religious life following the close of Vatican II. If truth be known, what has been passed off as the (s)pirit of the Council has, in truth, been a conspiracy to bury Catholic orthodoxy. The Leadership Council of Women Religious (LCWR) has been in rebellion against the magisterium of the Church for years. The Holy See does not support the LCWR whose membership is made up of mavericks in vows who thumb their noses at the authority of the Church and misrepresent the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church. The same failures that have afflicted most female religious congregations are likewise true of male religious congregations. The good news is that there are several foundations of both male and female religious that are faithful to Catholic traditional teachings and to the authority of the Magisterium. These will have no problem or fear of the investigation. On the other hand, those who have something to hide should be worried that they will be exposed for what they are.
Perfect comment! It is time
Perfect comment! It is time Rome read the U.S. Reprensentatives Resolution 441 dated 22 September 2009. I could not believe my eyes and ears when this "madate" came down on the sisters. Consumate FEAR on Rome's part. God forbid that U.S. religious women make a statement about service in our world today.
I'm afraid it might. Is the
I'm afraid it might.
Is the money problem of Rome’s misadventure “Visitation" of the LCWR seeing a resolution in the making? In AMERICA, October 12, 2009, pg 8, there is a news item: “Carl A. Anderson, the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus has been named by Pope Benedict XVI to a council that supervises the Vatican bank.”
All-male exclusionism by the Church and by the KofCs characterizes both organizations. That these bedfellows are so cozily sympathetic isn’t news; nor would it be out-of-character for the knights to pony-up the money for the Vatican bank to pay off the debt of Rome and the bishops.
What can I say? NAMBI? I am a knight of Columbus for fifty years. In view of the Vatican’s distrust of women religious it should hardly be surprising if women religious conclude that the institutional church is a “church of distrust.”
Question: What is a “malicious” act? In honesty, the clerical hierarchy should go to confession to the sisters; only then might the Church begin to move beyond the theological culture of dominion and abuse. (Every one should read Sister Ilio Delia's "Confession of a Modern Nun" in the same issue of AMERICA, pp 10-13).
I say let's get cardinal
I say let's get cardinal Rode' to sell the car Maciel gave him as the 'first' donation! geezzz what chupzpah
This can easily be paid for
This can easily be paid for from the CCHD. Just divert what they normally give to ACORN.
Dear J. Basil, I had no idea
Dear J. Basil,
I had no idea the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's heroic Catholic Campaign for Human Development also contributes to an admirable organization like ACORN which has been so effective in giving enough to the poor and oppressed as to get them out to vote, but I certainly will look into supporting the bishops in this valiant and nonpartisan effort.
Others interested might find this website useful:
http://www.usccb.org/cchd/
where their efforts arm in arm with ACORN are nowhere mentioned. Thank you very much for this insider information, kept very hush hus!
Thank you, and may I also say: DEO GRATIAS!
frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco)
The CCHD no longer gives
The CCHD no longer gives funds to ACORN, but there are many other questionable charities that receive those funds.
http://www.usccb.org/cchd/acorn-faq.shtml#current
Ah yes, how we love to have
Ah yes, how we love to have U.S. politics inserted into every conversation. Do you think the bishops might just be more invested in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, or do you have something really snappy to say about that endeavor also?
They've got to be kidding. No
They've got to be kidding. No way are the faithful going to be OK with their donations being used for this.
I suspect that the dioceses
I suspect that the dioceses that do contribute will not make it publicly known. After paying for the sex abuse scandals, we're now expected to pay for this not that I want the nuns to pay for it either. It seems they have a rather hefty overhead factor built into the $1.1 million.
anyway, any quid pro quo here
anyway, any quid pro quo here (for you JPII and other recent converts, that means one hand washes the other)?
I mean, if the religious congregation of women or the diocese coughs up a Benz and a Hilton, and drinks at Applebee's, the good nuns get a sweet report?
A visitation that we didn't
A visitation that we didn't ask for and don't want; and now they want us to pay for it? Come on!!
There is precedent you
There is precedent you know.
Jesus had to carry his own cross.
reminds me of that Richard
reminds me of that Richard Gere movie in China in which a woman military officer informs him how the family of the victim of death penalty had to pay for the bullet.
Using your blood to wash out
Using your blood to wash out blood stains of others.
We should all send messages
We should all send messages honoring the wonderful work of the sisters in our country and those in our lives to the congregation along with NO MONEY!
Send this address to
Send this address to evberyone you know
http://thankyousister.com/
For those wishing to write a
For those wishing to write a letter, FAX or email, in support and solidarity with our women religious (MINUS inquisition money), the following information is from the Vatican Website:
Franc Cardinal Rodé - Prefect
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
00120 Vatican City State, Europe
FAX +39. 06. 69884526
E-mail:
civcsva.pref@ccscrlife.va (Prefect)
civcsva.segr@ccscrlife.va (Secretary)
vati059@ccscrlife.va (information)
Thank you! My letter and
Thank you! My letter and many "cut & paste" copies from this site went out today!
the vatican needs to hear not our voice, but the Gospel!
What an interesting request
What an interesting request from Cardinal Rode. Throughout the world, people are starving, people have inadequate housing and little or no health care. Yet, the Vatican believes it appropriate to spend $1.1 million to study U.S. Women Religious Congregations, who have for decades been on the front line working to better conditions for the world's poor and vulnerable. Amazing. Even more amazing is that the U.S. bishops likely don't have much money to assist in this effort as so much was spent on the pedophile settlement due to the disgraceful leadership of so many of the bishops.
Pray, Pay and Obey. Most
Pray, Pay and Obey. Most importantly, PAY. What a sick joke. This has just made my decision about further donations final. As a result of the child sexual abuse debacle I had made a preliminary decision. This information seals it. Any money that ultimately finds it's way into the coffers of your local bishop may find it's way elsewhere. Like the funding of this lunacy. Enough! I'm done. Put a fork in me.
Folks need to keep in mind
Folks need to keep in mind that when they put their weekly/monthly "tithes" into their parish's collection basket, the bishop will most assuredly get his "cut."
This request from Rome illustrates just one more time the importance of parishes setting up separate accounts --- not touchable by the bishops --- for parish maintenance and other LEGITIMATE purposes.
If folks want to give to the church, donate to Catholic organizations that provide direct services to people in need and that do not divert funds to the bishops.
DONORS BEWARE!
I can assure you that women
I can assure you that women religious could use this $1.1 in their ministries. We need to write our bishops and let them know that we do not want any money sent to Rome for this "Inquisition".
This "Inquisition" is needed.
This "Inquisition" is needed. Most of these "women religious" have embraced heretical teachings which are FAR from the teachings of the Catholic Church (and therefore of Jesus Christ) and have destroyed the faith of far more people than a few pedophile/homosexual priests ever did. Bring on the Inquisition!!! If I had it, I would donate the entire $1.1 million myself.
Yeah, and burn a few of them
Yeah, and burn a few of them at the stake, like Joan of Arc. That will tame them down--isn't that your next logical step?
Perhaps you may want to
Perhaps you may want to rethink "Most of these" . . . . You seem to have quite a bit of anger toward sisters. Most of these Sisters are probably over the age of 70. I can't see how they could have "destroyed the faith of far more people. . . ." Faith is a gift from God and religious life is a call from God. Judging is a two-edge sword. I wish you peace.
or follow me (for once I can
or
follow me (for once I can with confidence make that suggestion)
come to Mass in Mexico!
In my location, restricted
In my location, restricted fund donations are not "taxed" by the archdioces. Be specific and keep the money out of the hands of those you expect you to fund your persecution.
Check out your local (arch)diocesan polities re: restricted funds.
Absolutly correct. If they
Absolutly correct. If they pay, no more contributions to the Bishops' fund.
When something is working,
When something is working, you leave it alone. Obviously the work the nuns are doing is working. Obviously the work the priests are doing IS NOT working. Leave the nuns alone and get working on the priests.
why is it so obvious nuns are
why is it so obvious nuns are working and what the priests are doing isn't? The Mass is being celebrated and sins are forgiven--that is some important work!
Well if the Vatican wants the
Well if the Vatican wants the study, then this should be funded completely by the Vatican. And if the U.S. Bishops or any individuals have the money to fund the study, then this money could be better spent by donating to support retired religious women, who have been a cheap labor force in the Church throughout the years. Furthermore,if indeed the study continues, cloistered and contemplative nuns should definitely be included.
I give directly to the
I give directly to the Retirement Fund for Religious each year. The Vatican's request for money from the bishops gives Catholics an opportunity to donate money to support the elderly and infirm priests, brothers, and sisters who taught us, cared for us, and helped us in so many other ways.
For more information, see http://www.usccb.org/nrro
It also wouldn't hurt for Catholics to call their bishop's office and express opposition to any diocesan funding of this so-called "visitation."
What arrogance on the part of the Vatican!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What does funded by the
What does funded by the Vatican mean? All Vatican funds come from donations--much of it from the United States. Lets get real here-- 1.1 Million Dollars is not unreasonable for a nation-wide study. The Vatican did the same things with the seminaries. Why are we so quick to throw around names like "inquisition"?
When are we going to stop
When are we going to stop studying things and put our money where we as Christians need to be concerned about. What about asking for that money to help the starving people of this world. Maybe some of the religious would not be leaving as they are if they saw that our Church has real concerns about the poor and needy of our Church. Shame on our Church for even thinking of this plan.
Right on!! Just think of
Right on!! Just think of what we could do with $1,100,000. This is just more politics of fear and distraction! What would Jesus advocate we do with this money, considering the level of poverty in our country, not to mention in the rest of the world ?
Rich, init? I hope all the
Rich, init?
I hope all the NCR readers who are so delighted with the prospect of the study/inquiry will dig deep into their resources and fund the project.
Though I'd prefer the money be spent on job creation.
This letter adds insult to
This letter adds insult to injury. It only serves to alienate.
Pax. Aristophilos
I can't believe these guys!
I can't believe these guys! They want to come over and investigate, then they need to pay for this!!! The US Bishops did not ask for this investigation. Better yet, have 'the team' raise the funds they plan spending on travel, lodging, food, etc. (in other words, what a nice way to disguise a vacation to the US - whatever happened to the vow of 'poverty'?)! These funds should go to charity! Besides, that money will come from the people in the pews - NOT the U.S. Bishops!
How do you know the Bishops
How do you know the Bishops didn't ask for this visitation?
let's see - we raise
let's see - we raise necessary funds for things with fish frys, spaghetti dinners, bake sales, and the occasional raffle...maybe the Vatican could hold a rummage sale...
Hello, If I were Your
Hello, If I were Your Excellency or an Eminence, I would say NO, NO, NO.
It is like when I was working for IBM and the Justice Department was invesigating the company for a violation of the Sherman anti-trust. The government would ask IBM to pay the bills, I think NOT.
The parishoners will be asked in a "Special Appeal", by the hierarchy to put in their hard earned money to investigate the dedicated, hard working nuns in their respective dioceses or archdioceses. Not, Not, Not.
Now they want us to pay for
Now they want us to pay for the witch hunt!!
Let me get this straight: my
Let me get this straight: my son's -- as well as many other -- Catholic school had to shut its doors basically because there wasn't enough money and now that they want our collection money to gin up an excuse to stifle the free thought of nuns?
How outrageous! Every Catholic worth his or her salt should protest this heavy-handed nonsense.
I call for the laity of the
I call for the laity of the Catholic Church to conduct an investigation of hierachery of the Church of Rome. Due to the declining numbers of Catholics attending Holy Sunday Mass, the increase of law suits from sex abuse cases involving Catholic priests and the depletion Church funds to cover such law suits, it is advised that the Lay branch of the Church conduct a study to
a) •“look into the quality of the life of clerics in the Church
b) •“learn more about the varied and unique ways in which clerics have impacted the life and function of the Church in ministering to the faithful
c) •“assist the church to strengthen, enhance and support the growth of the clerics which seem to be in a state of serious decline in Church within the United States.
Seems appropriate to me.
Great idea! I second it!
Great idea! I second it!
And I third it!! Let's send a
And I third it!! Let's send a letter to the bishops asking them to fund it!
Tina, I could not agree more!
Tina,
I could not agree more! amen sister!!!!!!!! Who is accountable to whom????? Who holds the Holy See accountable?
Well, please note Bishops and
Well, please note Bishops and Rome....i will send NO MORE
money to Rome or the Bishops....this is an out rage....we
are asked to pay for an order of investigation of catholic
women by Rome???? Sell one of the gold or dimonds i saw at
the Vatican museum, or all the gold cardinals rings...i am
truely angry...dolores crowley
Let's see. 59,000 women
Let's see. 59,000 women religious and $1.1million? That's about $20 for each woman religious. I'll bet that each one could find a more effective use for their $20 than an investigation would be. Perhaps the bishops could cut out the "middleMen" and send their money direct to the religious institutes.
Guess I won't hold my breath and turn blue while waiting, though.
Would it not be a better use
Would it not be a better use of the money from US bishops to fund how these communities averaging about 150 women each could coordinate retirement, nursing care, insurance, et cetera among themselves? Would a million dollars go very far for these practical purposes?
Let's just bag the witch hunt.
Let's see: the Vatican
Let's see: the Vatican appoints a commission, they appoint the head of the commission, who says the Vatican will fund it, and then they ask the U.S. bishops to finance it. Sounds pretty governmental to me. I wonder if any bishops will ignore the invitation, much less speak against it.
Tom
Excuse me. Couldn't you have
Excuse me. Couldn't you have used that money to feed the poor, tended to the out-of-work folks, or provided some health care to those without? Hmmmm..... what would Jesus do?
I also think of all the works
I also think of all the works of mercy that this money could be used for. I propose that the Vatican give it to the Sisters so they can carry on the work of God's Kingdom.
or at least plant some
or at least plant some labyrinth seeds, buy some drums and incense sticks, or sacred feminine lotus flower buddha statues?
Anonymous suggests "sacred
Anonymous suggests "sacred feminine lotus flower buddha statues" which makes me wonder: Was Siddartha Gautama feminine before or after "waking up?"
This may be news to the Buddhist . . .
Oh, wait, this may be just another anonymous dig . . .
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