Pope backs report critical of 'radical feminist' US nuns

Pope backs report critical of 'radical feminist' US nuns

   Pope Francis has backed a
doctrinal report drawn up under his predecessor Benedict XVI
that accused the largest group of nuns in the US of holding
"radical feminist" views, the Vatican said in a statement
today.
    The new pope has "reaffirmed the findings of the
assessment and the programme of reform" for the Leadership
Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), which represents around
45,000 US nuns and is known for its social work, the Vatican
said.
    The statement said the head of the Vatican's Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ludwig Mueller, met with
representatives of the LCWR in the Vatican today in an attempt
to smooth over differences.
    Mueller thanked the group for its work in "many schools,
hospitals, and institutions of support for the poor" in the
US, the statement said.
    But he also emphasised the need for the group to cooperate
with US bishops and said LCWR was legally "under the direction
of the Holy See".
    The Vatican report issued in 2012 following a three-year
investigation pointed to "serious doctrinal problems" and
"unacceptable positions".
    It appointed the Archbishop of Seattle, Peter Sartain, to
ensure the group toe the line.
    The report accused LCWR members of "dissent" with Church
teachings against homosexuality and said they were pursuing
"radical feminist themes".
    It condemned LCWR for being "silent on the right to life
from conception to natural death".
    The report also said a position stated by LCWR in 1977
against the ordination of priests as a male prerogative "has
never been corrected".