Jun 20, 2012 / 23:47 pm
Officers of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious said that their June 12 meeting with Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith officials was "difficult" because of "differing perspectives" but they were able to express their concerns "with openness and honesty."
The conference president Sr. Pat Farrell and executive director Sr. Janet Mock briefed conference board members about the Vatican meeting in a special session on June 15 in Silver Spring, Md.
The conference said in a June 18 statement that its officers and the congregation officials hold "differing perspectives" on the assessment from the Vatican's doctrinal department.
U.S. bishops associated with the assessment and Vatican officials have said that the report is directed only at the leadership conference and does not reflect on all U.S. sisters.
However, the board said in its June 18 response that the congregation's actions are "keenly felt" by "the vast majority" of Catholic sisters who have elected their leaders and "therefore feel a close identity" with them.