Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The CDF Names Archbishop Sartain Overseer Of The LCWR

Seattle Archbishop Sartain is now the Pope of the LCWR.  Hope he's still in the mood to allow for a little choice.


Today we not only get the good news about SSPX, we also get the release of the results of the CDF investigation of the Leadership of Catholic Women Religious. This investigation was initiated in 2009 and should not be confused with the Apostolic Visitation of religious orders under the auspices of The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life headed at the time by Cardinal Rode, and carried out by Mother Mary Claire Millea.  The CDF investigation was after heresy and dissent.  Gosh darn it all, didn't they find just that. I am shocked.

 The following is the final paragraphs of the letter written by the CDF and given to the USCCB.  It names Archbishop Peter Sartain of Seattle as the man assigned to head the five year program whose mandate is to get the ladies in line with the Vatican and redo just about everything involved in the LCWR.  He will be assisted by Bishop Leonard Blair, who conducted this investigation for the Holy See, and Bishop Thomas Paprocki who has garnered some fame for his fascination with exorcisms. (Bishop Paprocki is another one of those intellectual bishops from Illinois.)




Therefore in order to implement a process of review and conformity to the teachings
and discipline of the Church, the Holy See, through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, will appoint an Archbishop Delegate, assisted by two Bishops, for review, guidance
and approval, where necessary, of the work of the LCWR. The Delegate will report to the
CDF, which will inform and consult with the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
and Societies of Apostolic Life and the Congregation for Bishops.
The mandate of the Delegate is to include the following:

1) To revise LCWR Statutes to ensure greater clarity about the scope of the mission
and responsibilities of this conference of major superiors. The revised Statutes will be
submitted to the Holy See for approval by the CICLSAL.

2) To review LCWR plans and programs, including General Assemblies and
publications, to ensure that the scope of the LCWR’s mission is fulfilled in accord
with Church teachings and discipline. In particular:
- Systems Thinking Handbook will be withdrawn from circulation pending
revision
- LCWR programs for (future) Superiors and Formators will be reformed
- Speakers/presenters at major programs will be subject to approval by
Delegate
3) To create new LCWR programs for member Congregations for the development of
initial and ongoing formation material that provides a deepened understanding of the
Church’s doctrine of the faith.
4) To review and offer guidance in the application of liturgical norms and texts. For
example:
8-The Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours will have a place of priority in
LCWR events and programs.
5) To review LCWR links with affiliated organizations, e.g. Network and Resource
Center for Religious Life.
The mandate of the Delegate will be for a period of up to five years, as deemed
necessary. In order to ensure the necessary liaison with the USCCB (in view of Can. 708),
the Conference of Bishops will be asked to establish a formal link (e.g. a committee structure)
with the Delegate and Assistant Delegate Bishops. In order to facilitate the achievement of
these goals, the Delegate is authorized to form an Advisory Team (clergy, women Religious,
and experts) to assist in the work of implementation. (Where have we seen this charade acted out before? Oh, I know, with those ever so effective Diocesan review boards for clerical abusers.)

It will be the task of the Archbishop Delegate to work collaboratively with the officers
of the LCWR to achieve the goals outlined in this document, and to report on the progress of
this work to the Holy See. Such reports will be reviewed with the Delegate at regular
interdicasterial meetings of the CDF and the CICLSAL. In this way, the Holy See hopes to
offer an important contribution to the future of religious life in the Church in the United States.

*******************************************

I wrote way back in 2009 that this investigation was aimed specifically to bring the LCWR congregations in line under male leadership, and that the other one conducted by Cardinal Rode was kind of smoke screen.  The Vatican under Cardinal Levada wanted the LCWR leadership muzzled and for political reasons.  This letter certainly states the LCWR will be muzzled.

If readers take the time to read the entire CDF letter, and if you can remember some of the talking points from three years ago, you will laugh.  The letter even mentions the key note address given by Sr Lauri Brink at the 2007 LCWR convention in which she outlined four possible paths that LCWR congregations could take in the future.  She called the third one Soujorning in a New Land not yet Known" and the Fourth one "Reconciliation for the Sake of the Mission".  I knew at the time this third approach had thoroughly upset the Temple Police.  I am hardly surprised this particular speech was singled out in the CDF letter.  I just wonder how many congregations will now take this path rather than put up with the total ecclesial male domination called for by path number four.

April 18th is turning out to be a very sad day for progressive Catholics.  But before more traditional and conservative Catholics take too much delight in this most recent salvo from the Vatican, I hope they think about who the hell is going to foot the bills for the enormous infrastructure of Roman Catholicism when all that's left in the pews is them because the rest of us have gotten the message and left.




46 comments:

  1. Colleen, you have turned out to be extremely insightful about the dynamics of the visitation of the LCWR--prophetic, in fact. It is absolutely about trying to put the dead hand of male control on women's religious communities.

    And it's only going to erode further what's left of a viable church.

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    1. Bill you are right about Coleen, but in the church it is not an erosion, it is an implosion. dennis

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  2. We saw the writing on the wall regarding the inquisition against women. Real sad. To read the CDF report was nauseating because it is so narrow-minded, insulting and these men do not in any way shape or form resemble Jesus Christ and all that he stood for.

    It should be interesting to see what the Sisters do and just how pathologically insane the men in the hierarchy will get, if given the chance.

    Also, it is so lame and heartless of the hierarchy to continue with this psycho-drama against women. They must really fear women is what I see from their acts.

    Butterfly

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  3. I'm waiting to see how the LCWR responds. Given Sr Joan Chittister's response, that this is demeaning and immoral, I suspect the women may not go quietly under the boys thumbs. I just keep thinking about Sr Carol Keehan, and just can't see these women suddenly becoming girls.

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  4. It's sad, but this may have been the spiritual nail in the coffin for me :(

    Although I've found a wonderfully welcoming Jesuit parish here in Baltimore with an astounding pastor, he is 78. I mention his age not to be disrespectful but simply out of pragmatic concern. Whenever his tenure at the church would end (I'm not particularly familiar with how they replace rectors, maybe it would be conducted in a more independent manner because they are an autonomous religious order, well weren't the sisters as well...?) there's the very real possibility that he could be replaced with a very orthodox, authoritarian-oriented, JP2 clone...

    As I see the ecclesial climate, at least the one being actively promoted by the hierarchy, becoming ever more rigid and conservative, and with the aim of quashing any sort of dissent whatsoever being the primary goal I've become increasingly discouraged and troubled about what the years ahead could yield for all LGBT Catholics.

    Especially if possible an African candidate, or Cardinal Dolan were elected the next pope, what would be the point of remaining Catholic...? I can't believe I'm asking these questions but today's developments dealt a deep blow to me emotionally and spiritually, as I've considered the Catholic Church the focal point of my being since 2005, now, I'm not so certain...

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    1. This is the reason that in So America, many Catholic Churches have become independent of Rome. The tide for this is ever increasing now in NOrth America. Many including myself see the RCC as an amoral entity. dennis

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  5. God bless the Sisters and Nuns. They have become one of us - the marginalized and disenfranchised. This "New" Catholic Church can not tolerate prophetic voices of any kind. God help us all.

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  6. I wonder how Sr Joan Chittister will respond in the coming weeks and months. I think she is right; it is insulting, demeaning and immoral. She will be an interesting person to watch for the near future. It seems to me she could be the lightening rod for protest; elevating her to the next one to be silenced by the hierarchy. She sounds as if she is unwilling to put up with that.

    And this line [quote]:
    It will be the task of the Archbishop Delegate to work collaboratively with the officers of the LCWR to achieve the goals outlined in this document,[unquote]

    Sorry. You simply can't have both an imposed hierarchy and 'collaborative' work. I am surprised though at the 5-year limit on Sartain's authority. I'd expect that to be extended indefinitely.
    Veronica

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    1. from Chris Morley

      Collaborate has two dictionary meanings and now the Vatican has parked its tanks on the LCWR lawn, it expects the LCWR officers to sell out, as in the second sense
      1. To work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.
      2. To cooperate treasonably, as with an enemy occupation force in one's country.

      I'm not sure of the best tactical response, but complete non-cooperation springs to mind.

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    2. Have to confess I hadn't thought of that definition. Perhaps because it didn't occur to me that the authority would use the word as the pejorative it should be when intending that definition.
      Veronica

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    3. I caught that as well. This overseer thing could go on indefinitely.

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  7. I remember Lauri Brink from Grad school in Chicago. Incredibly smart and insightful. WAY smarter than most of the guys running things at the Vatican now. As a scripture scholar, she has nailed what a Gospel inspired path looks like. With everything going on in Austria and Ireland, how long Oh Lord until new life bursts among us?

    Word verify : Forkshat ( I kid you not, shat

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  8. Together with the contraception hullabaloo this attempted power seizure of the LCWR should make it clear to all - THE HIERARCHY'S WAR ON WOMEN CONTINUES...both without and within the Church...reminds me of when the hierarchs drove the LGBT group Dignity out of the parishes nationwide.....that the SSPX gang - considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center - is welcomed back by the hierarchs on the same day as the progressive nuns are accused of heresy is despicable.....what are the centrists going to say now?.....will they just fall in line like good little boys and girls?....or will they find some backbone finally and speak up in the defense of those who lives truly mirror the poverty and charity of Christ?...there is a part of me that hopes the nuns march out and start forming communities of Catholics in exile - a movement that would be made up of us marginalized Catholics...I would readily join with them...

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    1. I would too Michael, as I think a lot of spiritually mature Catholics would. These last two announcements from the Vatican are in our faces. The Vatican has decided it will go down with those who can't face any kind of real threat to a changing understanding of reality and humanity. The clerical system is staying true to form. Too bad for the Vatican they don't have 400 years to get their act together.

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  9. I know Lauri Brink from our time at grad school. She is amazingly smart and insightful. And she is a first rate scripture scholar. Far better than many of the bishops. Frankly, these women as the ones who are most closely following Christ. To be sure it isn't the lace clad, cape twirling cardinals who forgot that the very first Apostle was Mary, the first one sent to tell the news of the Resurrection. So maybe women can't be priests but if so why should men be bishops? They were not there at the end nor at the tomb in the morning.

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    1. Yes, Sue, these are the women who built and grew the American Catholic Church. As an average, they are far more Christian than are the Bishops or the new young priests. It is now really up to the laity to Follow the Way of Christ on their own. When they need sources, much better to go to these wonderful, loving and intelligent women.

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    2. Dennis and Sue, there's a seed of truth in your statements that I believe needs amplification (germination?). "They are far more Christian than the bishops or the new young priests." "Frankly, these women are the ones most closely following Christ." The question I always hear from the right concerns how one can disobey/be selfish/pretend God speaks to me more than to His vicar on earth/start your own religion/etc. I think this is the only legitimate answer. I do not see Jesus reflected in those people. I see my Christ reflected in the (however flawed) sisters. I do not see my Lord in 2200 pages of rules and doctrines. I look for selfless love to find faith.

      When the hoi polloi can justify their actions and name their thoughts, that's when the truth can emerge. And very tellingly, it remains secrecy (like the workings of the Vatican) that points out the darkness.

      Matt Connolly

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    3. Thanks Matt you are correct, the current RCC does not reflect The Way of Christ. They only reflect a greedy episcopate worried about their own positions.

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  10. At the rate the Vatican is going, I would expect it to soon be dust. No 400 yr. history now possible! dennis

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  11. I have no idea how to go on being Catholic at this point. Any ideas? We live next to a convent and are 'friends' with many sisters....this is just so sad.

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    1. Erin, I have one idea, and it's one I use myself. That's to take up the charism of 'devils advocate'. It has a long proud history in Catholicism....that is until JPII did away with it during the canonization process of Opus Dei's founder Jose Maria Escriva.

      I've always found that decision somewhat, shall I say, beneficial for Escriva and Opus Dei.

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    2. What is this that you speak about here regarding a "charism of 'devils advocate' Colleen? Please explain what you mean and provide some examples and some reading material of this "long proud history in Catholicism" so that we will all know exactly what you mean by that.

      Butterfly

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    3. Colleen, what is the long proud history in Catholicism of the "charism of 'devils advocate' ??

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    4. The position devil's advocate was given to a priest who was tasked with taking up the oppositional case in any canonization proceeding. He was to ferret out any information which would bolster the case for not canonizing a given person. He approached his task from the point of view of 'guilty until proven innocent', where as the postulator was basically a salesman for the candidate.

      JPII removed the position of Devil's Advocate from the canonization process during the case for Jose Maria Escriva, who founded Opus Dei. Essentially there was no real scrutiny of Escriva's candidacy and he is now a saint. Shock and awe.

      The idea for this position was taken from the Book of Job where Lucifer is still amongst the angelic host and has the role of man's adversary. He represents the necessary mental challenges needed for a free choice universe. He is not in opposition to God, but adversarial to man, His mission is needed in order for man to 'own' his own self by accepting responsibility for his own choices. That's why in the end of Job, when Job is functioning from his fully integrated self, Job demands an answer and God actually answers Job. Humanity has finally grown up enough to demand an answer from God and God gives man the honor of responding.

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    5. I did not know that they were called a "devil's advocate." I googled it after writing the comment to you which went into screening mode for your approval. Sounds like JPII definitely did not want to hear any opposition to what he & Escriva, Opus Dei determined was a saint.

      I think that there are so many interpretations of Job out there at the moment that it has gotten confusing to many. I know when I first read it I had no clue really what it meant. I knew that Job lost everything and I had a lot of sympathy for him and could identify with that sort of suffering and could see that suffering continues in our world, which makes Job an epic story. I also knew that his supposed "friends" were trying to pin the blame on him for all his losses and for his own troubles and he was put into more misery by what they were saying.

      JPII, we now know, used to whip himself. Job to my understanding did not whip himself. Yet JPII and Opus Dei types who have such a theology to whip themselves, honor suffering more than healing.

      The press or journalist could probably be seen as the "devil's advocate" if it is trying to specifically ferret out any information against anyone and we usually see a lot of that in election years. Some people do have a knack for that sort of thing of playing the devil's advocate. I can see also where that can become an impediment as well and a tool for the wicked and ignorant to confuse people and lie to them, inquisition them to death.

      Too bad that the Vatican did not get rid of its Inquisitional CDF. That entity seems to take the role of Job's supposed "friends" who do not have any empathy it seems to me for Job in his great suffering and need for healing.

      It seems to me that VI supporters, VII bashers, gay bashers, misogynist, also do not want to hear anything adversarial to their positions or accepting responsibility for their own choices which cause so many unnecessary suffering and hardship.

      Job today might represent the marginalized it seems to me.

      Butterfly

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  12. The answer that I have used is to become a member of a Catholic Church not under the influence of the Pope. They are popping up everywhere. Three in Denver, Several in LA, NY, SF and all over Florida.

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  13. Thanks for the suggestions! I am quite glad to have found your blog, as well. I've actually looked for an independent Catholic Church, but there doesn't see to be one in our area. I've contacted the National Old Catholic Church to inquire about establishing a parish. Or I suppose I could go to an Episcopal church....

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    1. I've thought about the Episcopalian Church on numerous occasions, but I truly find my own community out on the margins with other disenfranchised Catholics. These are my people and I will stay in solidarity with them. Should we decide our witness includes splitting off, that I would do. Unfortunately, there are huge swaths of the US where there are no emerging Church alternatives---yet. I don't see real reform in Catholicism happening in my lifetime unless the Vatican is finally exposed as the criminal and spiritually corrupt organization it really is.

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    2. "...unless the Vatican is finally exposed as the criminal and spiritually corrupt organization it really is."

      Cool story. Now show me a non-corrupt organisation which exists-in-the-world?

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    3. Show me another one that claims to speak for Jesus Christ.

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    4. Any protestant sect. Mormonism. Etc.

      Speaking for God? Judaism. Islam. Hinduism.

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    5. I'll give you some protestant sects, at least in so far as interpreting the gospels. The LDS Church does not literally claim to speak for Jesus Christ. Nor do it's bishops claim to be 'in persona christi'.

      Lots of people think they speak for God. Very few recongize they are only speaking about their own projected concepts of how God should behave.

      The Vatican, with it's notion of papal infallibility, is in a class of it's own.

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    6. If you don't believe in papal infallibility, what do you believe in, as a Catholic?

      What fills that gap?

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    7. I didn't say I didn't believe in papal infallibility. I said that notion took the Roman Catholic Church to a class of it's own when it came to speaking for God.

      I could have added the LDS have this deal where their prophet is led to make changes in LDS doctrine by his dreams but the LDS don't trumpet that quite the way Catholics do papal infallibility.

      I believe Pius IX abused the concept for his own ends, as did a lot of the worlds bishops of the time. I think the definition and understanding previous to Vatican I is closer to the truth, less susceptible to papal ego, and healthier for the laity.

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    8. If you do believe in papal infallibility, why do you keep denigrating it?

      The Church is in a class of its own when it comes to representing God. It was established by Jesus with that stated aim.

      If the Church suddenly reduced itself to Mormon-type proxy or Anglican type committee or whathaveyou, then that would be a very serious dereliction of its established purpose!

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    9. The issue is not finding a non- corrupt organization. Where you have humans, you have problems. The issue is that in the Roman Catholic Church there is no recourse/check upon the organization. The issue is not whether there will be problems, the issue is how will the problems be remedied.

      Changing the subject some, I don't believe in papal infallibility.
      Invictus- you ask good questions.

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    10. There's enough of a check that it's survived the fall of the Roman Empire, the Great Schism, every European and world war, and every scandal from Peter's denials, through the 'pornocracy', to 'womyn priests' and child abuse.

      One might almost think there was some sort of 'thing' safeguarding it!

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    11. Catholics tend to forget other religious systems have survived quite a bit longer. Hinduism and Judaism for instance and the Bushmen of the Kalahari and their spiritual system have survived almost 10,000 years.

      One would almost think there was some sort of 'thing safeguarding them.

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    12. Except where in recorded history did any of their Gods come down and eat with us?

      Should such basic Catholic apologetics really be necessary in typing to a self-declared Catholic blogger?

      If you want to defend paganism as a legitimate alternative to Christ's Church, by all means do...but you would have to admit that the title you chose for your blog would be at least a little bit misleading!

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    13. In the Indigenous systems a meal shared with the 'spirits' is always a part of the ceremony.

      The title for my blog is a pun. I try to put humor in many of my posts. Perhaps it went over your head.

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    14. So long as you don't seriously think your posts are Catholic, I suppose. The joke did indeed go over my head, I'd been assuming you believed this stuff to be Catholic.

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    15. There is the Church; founded by Jesus Christ, with a hierarchy that has been granted authority by Our Lord. The Catholic Faith is a beautiful and uplifting one, and yet to the vast majority of Catholics the Faith of Jesus Christ is unknown. Raised Catholic they will say, "spent x number of years at a seminary" or "had x number of years of catechism," and yet they say things and behave in a manner completely opposed to Catholic culture and values. What is the difference between bishops who neglect the spiritual needs of their diocesan members by teaching a false doctrine (Vatican II) and covering up the crimes of their pederast priests, and a laity that blames Catholic Dogma and the hierarchical structure of the Church, instituted by Christ, for all of the problems that are actually a result of a major lack of true faith and charity? Progressive Catholicism is at the core of every pederast priest.

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  14. "On this rock I will build my Church." Jesus founded His Church on Peter, the "rock" and the first Pope. Apostolic succession continues to this day, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit sort it out, but do not be so disillusioned as to think you can build His Church better than Jesus Christ. Leave the hierarchy and the control to Christ and open your minds to the reality that the Holy Spirit is working through the Popes of our day...The orthodox orders of nuns and priests faithful to the Holy Father are bulging at the seams with new growth. They are charitable, well-educated and inspiring people, on fire with their faith.

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    1. That sounds really wonderful, but, Marianna, Jesus did not build a Church of centuries of persecution, decades of child sex abuse, and smatterings of corruption and coersion- humans did. I'm sure hte Holy Spirit is still at work, but to suggest that we can just sit back and follow the hierarchy and pope seems irresponsible as they've led the Church in many unethical situations throughout history.

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    2. I have Marianna. I do believe the Holy Spirit is working through the Popes of our day. The Holy Spirit is using the popes to force a change in Catholic thinking. We either choose to grow up and take responsibility for our own life interaction with Jesus, and our own thinking, and our own capacity to love and then share that with the world. Or we sit on our butts and continue to have this vibrant Live shoved down our throats by men who have never ever raised families, interacted with women, or generally been expected to grow up, and get over, themselves.

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  15. An excellent resource to learn more about the histories, successes, failures, dealings with men and witnessing of women religious in the US is Know You Know Media's "History of Women Religious in the United States" by Dr. Margaret Susan Thompson (2009), professor of history at Syracuse U. It is a 6-CD series well worth your time, effort and moderate expense.

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