Women Religious

The Latest

Pope Francis meets religious sisters at a general audience on Jan. 19, 2022.

Pope Francis tells religious sisters to fight back when mistreated by 'men of the Church'

Feb 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope's prayer intention for the month of February is for religious sisters and consecrated women. Read more

Pope Francis prays Terce with contemplative sisters in Lima, Peru Jan. 21, 2018.

The Church needs you, Francis tells contemplative sisters in Peru

Jan 21, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Speaking to contemplative women religious Sunday, Pope Francis said that they aren’t second-class, but a necessary part of the Church,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Oct. 1, 2014 general audience.

What did Pope Francis actually say about the female diaconate?

May 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

Yesterday Pope Francis raised eyebrows around the world after declaring his openness to establishing a commission to study the female... Read more

Religious sisters take part in a Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major on June 19, 2014.

Final report: Vatican thanks women religious, stresses focus on Christ

Dec 16, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Vatican has published the results of its apostolic visitation examining the quality of religious communities across the U.S. in... Read more

Religious sisters attend the enthronement of Our Lady of Charity in the Vatican Gardens, August 28, 2014.

Coming soon: the Vatican's report on US women religious

Dec 4, 2014

The Vatican has confirmed it will release its report on the state of women religious in the United States later... Read more

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson addresses the LCWR convention.

LCWR may not be open to reform, commentator worries

Aug 20, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Actions by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious at its latest annual assembly suggest that it may be closed to... Read more

Barbara Marx Hubbard, keynote speaker at the LCWR's 2012 Assembly.

Vatican doctrine head: LCWR has moved beyond Church, faith

May 6, 2014

In an address to the presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Cardinal Gerhard Müller reaffirmed the necessity of... Read more

Sr. Florence Deacon, OSF, outgoing president of the LCWR.

No real cooperation from women's religious group, author says

Aug 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Despite a shift in tone, virtually no progress has been made toward the Vatican's goals for the reform of the... Read more

Movie aims to spark religious discernment for women

Jun 22, 2013

By Mary Farrow

A new film sprung from the recently launched Imagine Sisters movement in the U.S. hopes to portray the beauty and... Read more

Cardinal Dolan distributes the Constitutions of the Congregation to the newly professed.

Newly-professed sisters celebrated as 'sign of hope'

Jun 13, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

At a Brooklyn Mass where six Little Sisters of the Poor made their first vows, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan emphasized... Read more

Sister Alice Matilda Nsiah, FST, speaks to CNA after the May 8, 2013 general audience in Vatican City.

Sisters encouraged, grateful Pope met with them

May 9, 2013

Sister Alice Matilda Nsiah says that Pope Francis’ decision to meet with her and other superiors general on Wednesday left... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for his installation on March 19, 2013.

Pope to sisters: living with Jesus outside Church is absurd

May 8, 2013

By Alan Holdren

Pope Francis told leaders of women’s religious orders today that their vocations can only be recognized within the fold of... Read more

Sister Pat Farrell, president of the LCWR, speaks during a press conference at the conference's 2012 assembly. Photo by Lisa Johnston.

LCWR meets archbishop, says way of life must not be compromised

Aug 14, 2012

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious has begun talks with the archbishop tasked with its reform, but says it will... Read more

Sister Janet Mock and Sister Pat Farrell in Rome on June 12, 2012.

LCWR officials brief leaders on 'difficult' Vatican meeting

Jun 20, 2012

Officers of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious said that their June 12 meeting with Congregation for the Doctrine of... Read more

 Sister Pat Farrell, President of the LCWR, and Executive Director Sister Janet Mock leave the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome on June 12, 2012.

Vatican describes talks with US sisters as 'open and cordial'

Jun 12, 2012

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has described talks with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious as... Read more

The logo for the Nuns on the Bus tour.

Network bus tour illustrates Vatican’s objections, author says

Jun 12, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

An expert on women religious in the U.S. said that a bus tour announced by religious sisters who belonging to... Read more

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain.

Archbishop Sartain stresses dedication to addressing religious sisters' issues

Jun 1, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle says he is dedicated to addressing concerns regarding the Leadership Conference of Women Religious... Read more

LCWR accuses Vatican investigation of using 'flawed process'

Jun 1, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

The national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious is arguing that the Vatican’s recent assessment of the organization was... Read more