Congregatio Pro Doctrina Fidei

Congregation for the Doctine of the Faith
April 19, 2012

Congregatio Pro Doctrina Fidei

[with pdf]

Doctrinal Assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

I. Introduction

The context in which the current doctrinal Assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the United States of America is best situated is articulated by Pope

John Paul II in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita consecrata of 1996.

Commenting on the genius of the charism of religious life in the Church, Pope John Paul says: "In founders and foundresses we see a constant and lively sense of the Church, which

they manifest by their full participation in all aspects of the Church's life, and in their ready obedience to the Bishops and especially to the Roman Pontiff. Against this background of

love towards Holy Church 'the pillar and bulwark of truth' (1 Tim 3:15), we readily understand…the full ecclesial communion which the Saints, founders and foundresses, have

shared in diverse and often difficult times and circumstances. They are examples which consecrated persons need constantly to recall if they are to resist the particularly strong centrifugal and disruptive forces at work today. A distinctive aspect of ecclesial communion

is allegiance of mind and heart to the Magisterium of the Bishops, an allegiance which must

be lived honestly and clearly testified to before the People of God by all consecrated persons,

especially those involved in theological research, teaching, publishing, catechesis and the use

of the means of social communication. Because consecrated persons have a special place in

the Church, their attitude in this regard is of immense importance for the whole People of

God" (n. 46).