As just reported on the National Catholic Reporter, the bishops of California have come out in support of the LCWR.
California bishops offer support to U.S. women religious
Tom Fox, National Catholic Reporter, 11/03/09
The California bishops voted last week to pass a statement of support on behalf of U.S. women religious who are facing a Vatican investigation.
Word of the support came in a letter dated Nov. 2 written by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony
In the letter addressed “Dear Sisters” the cardinal writes:
“We are all aware of the special anxieties which surround our women religious these days,” wrote Mahony, “and I am writing to offer you my prayers of gratitude and my support for all of your members. The bishops of California met last week and passed a statement of support for all of you, and I am pleased to send a copy of that statement to you.”
“We are all aware of the special anxieties which surround our women religious these days,” wrote Mahony, “and I am writing to offer you my prayers of gratitude and my support for all of your members. The bishops of California met last week and passed a statement of support for all of you, and I am pleased to send a copy of that statement to you.”
He praises “the historical presence” of women religious in California beginning back in the 1800s. “I can honestly state that there would not exist our Catholic schools, hospitals, and social service outreach apostolates without you.”
The cardinal goes on to write that women religious in Los Angeles “opened the first hospital, established the first schools, and provided the first social services to those most in need.” He added that our “church’s history of outreach after the example of Jesus Christ and the Gospels would not exist today without your initiatives and creativity.” (It's not just the historical outreach which wouldn't exist, it's also the current outreach.)
He ended his letter reassuring women religious “of my continuing prayers and support.”
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Is this a sign that some bishops actually do understand the American church is more than it's Republican wing? Hmmm. I wonder if this makes Cardinal Mahony a 'self-described' Catholic, or is it just a nice attempt to defuse some anxiety until the proverbial hits the oscillator. I certainly hope and pray it's the real deal because this would definitely send a message to some American Cardinals and one Archbishop in Rome, and since it's coming under Mahony's name, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't indeed a message.
Mother Angelica is most assuredly not going to be pleased that her least favorite Cardinal has approved this one.
