catholicPittsburgh.org

The Association of Pittsburgh Priests would like to add our name to the chorus of support for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Network and the Resource Center for Religious Life.

We want to thank the sisters for their major role in building the Church in the United States from coast to coast.

We want to thank them for their whole hearted response to Vatican II to return to the charisms of their founders and continuously seek renewal.

We want to thank the sisters for answering the call of Vatican II to minister to those at the margins of society as well as those suffering most in society.

We want to thank the sisters for not judging or condemning our brothers and sisters who are gay or lesbian or women who feel called to ordained ministry.

We want to thank the sisters for their radical obedience to the voice of God in spite of opposition from those who should support them.

We pray that the outpouring of support from many quarters for the sisters and these brave, professional, and Spirit-filled organizations will shield them from the attacks of our modern day Pharisees.

We are grateful that the sisters have read the signs of the time in light of the Gospel in so many ways, especially in their positive understanding of feminism which by its nature is “radical”, thank goodness.

We hope the Holy Spirit will enlighten any American bishops, archbishops and cardinals as he/she did Peter and Paul so that they defend wholeheartedly our American sisters and seek the immediate end to the outrageous, hurtful and scandalous mandate of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

Years ago Father Bill Bausch wrote a book called Take Heart Father. We want to say “Take heart sisters!” You are not alone!

It’s time also to communicate to the three U.S. bishops charged by the Vatican to carry out the mandate to reform the LCWR.

Write to the following, either in your own words or simply send a copy of this statement, and say “I agree with the Association of Pittsburgh Priests”. (A .pdf version of the statement can be found here.)

The Most Rev J. Peter Sartain
710 9th Ave
Seattle WA 98104-2017

Fax: 206.382.4840

The Most Rev Leonard P. Blair
1933 Spielbusch Ave
Toledo OH 43697-0985

Fax: 419.244.4791

The Most Rev. Thomas John Paprocki
1615 West Washington St
Springfield IL 62702-4757

Fax: 217.698.0802