The Vatican has just announced an Apostolic Visitation “in order to look into the quality of the life” of women religious in the United States. The announcement was made public in a news conference at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on January 30.
At the news conference, Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman, FSGM, of the Alton Franciscans (Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George) announced that Cardinal Franc Rodé (the Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life), appointed Mother Mary Clare Millea, ASCJ, superior general of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as Apostolic Visitator. In this role, Mother Millea will oversee the process of visiting and studying apostolic women religious communities (not cloistered or contemplative communities) and then submit a report to the Cardinal on “women’s apostolic religious life in the United States and on each of the congregations assessed.” Although there is no deadline for completing the Visitation and submitting a report, Mother Millea hopes to complete the task by 2011.
Sister Ackerman, who is Mother Millea’s spokesperson, outlined the process of the Apostolic Visitation: “First, Mother Clare will solicit voluntary input from the superiors general through inviting them to make personal visits with her in Rome or in the United States,” she said. “During the second stage, the major superiors in the United States will be asked for information such as statistics, activities and community practices. Selected on-site visits will be made during the third stage.” (Catholic News Service)
Says Mother Mary Clare Millea of the task ahead:
“I know that the object of this Visitation is to encourage and strengthen apostolic communities of women religious, for the simple reason that these communities are integral to the entire life of the Catholic Church, in the United States and beyond.”
The website of Apostolic Visitation of Institutes of Women Religious in the United States has more information about the Visitation including the following:
- approach and goals of the Apostolic Visitation
- reference materials and news
- frequently asked questions
Archived Comments
- February 1, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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What do you all think this is about? I may be wrong, but instinct tells me there may be a hidden agenda to this program. Does anyone know who Mother Mary Clare is? It will be through her lenses that the congregations are evaluated.
- February 2, 2009 at 6:24 am
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I am another one who (being by nature suspicious of the Catholic Church) senses a hidden agenda. When I went to the website I noted that there will be a “confidential report” submitted to Cardinal Franc Rodé . This begs the question – why does the report need to be confidential? Has the church not learned that secrecy only leads to bigger problems?
I will keep ALL the religious sisters of the US in my thoughts and prayers.
- February 2, 2009 at 7:34 am
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I am confident in the integrity of the lifestyle, spirituality and mission of women religious. I belive our integrity will be available to anyone who has eyes to see it and ears to hear it. I am hopeful that this visit could be an opportunity for dialogue that leads us beyond impasse.
However, I am also aware that cultural, theological and missiological differences could misinterpret as well as misinform the ‘study.’ I will be more confident that this visitation will produce a positive outcome, when some pre-visit dialogue with those organizing the study regarding the culture of US women’s religious life, diversity among our membership and congregations, mission focus and spirituality, gets started.
- February 2, 2009 at 10:48 am
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I hope that it’s going to be a productive visit for all involved…it seems like the apostolic orders don’t get the recognition lately that they deserve. On the other hand, I can’t imagine the rancor and open hatred for those orders among some, and this will only intensify it. And I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a political motive behind this.
- February 2, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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“veritable witch hunt for nonhabited sisters” – I didn’t want to say that, but that is exactly what I was thinking when I asked the question though. Plus, as one of the other posters mentioned, there may be even a deeper political motive afoot. With the recent pardoning of the Lefebrve bishops (I used to work for Lefebrve’s cousin in Europe!), not to mention all this Tridentine stuff, it is SO obvious to me now that the Pope really wants to get retro on us. It’s sad because, in the long run, he is grasping at straws. And time will see where that gets him and the Church.
As another poster mentioned, this report will be confidential. Why? I too find that suspect. It should be open for all to see. What also bothers me is that only one woman is conducting this study. Who is she? What are her qualifications? And also she is from a very small order. Why don’t they get a group together representing 5-10 orders. That would make more sense. It’s almost like the report is already written …
As we always discuss, there is no such thing as a cookie cutter sister. But overall, I find most sisters to have far more integrity and authenticity than most other people. And when they err or sin, they will usually admit it. Does Rome think women who wear pants, occassionally dine in fast food restaurants (or drink beer in pubs – ha, ha) and go on vacations with secular friends and family every five to ten years all of a suddent turn into harlots? I hope the report does not result in demands that will squeeze the life out of vital, thriving, even though dwindling in size, communities of sisters that are living out their vows faithfully serving people around the country.
- February 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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I for one think that the Apostolic Visitation is a very good thing and I was happy to read about it! Far from being a “witch-hunt,” I think the Visitation is a sign of the Church’s pastoral concern for religious Sisters. If nothing else, it shows that the Vatican values apostolic women’s religious life just as much as it values seminary formation.
I think that the confidentiality probably exits to protect everyone involved, and to foster an environment of honesty. If a religious congregation were having problems, it would undoubtedly be easier to address and solve them in a non-public forum, apart from unnecessary external criticism.
I was actually fortunate enough to have had the chance to meet Mother Mary Clare once when I was discerning religious life. She seemed like a lovely person, and all of her Sisters spoke quite highly of her.
- February 2, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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I, too, have reservations about this, but having thought about it for a few days, I think the sisters will cooperate and Cardinal Rode and his crew will find out that we–as per usual–are leaps and bounds ahead of Rome. We have already addressed the issues that thay are concerned about–quality of life and viability. How many US orders have merged already? How many other orders have done as some of my sisters have done and taken in the anawim of some order and cared for them util the last sister drew her breath? How many have restructured themselves and re-ourposed their giant buidings and land holdings?
I think that the Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life just might be pleasantly surprised!
- February 2, 2009 at 6:47 pm
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Like the other responders, I too, raised an eyebrow — of curiosity and interest when reading Julie’s original post that caused me to link and read more. Thanks for having this forum for the expression of all points of view and allowing me to respectfully write mine.
I am a strong believer in the future of religious life (not necessarily as a re-living of past religious life) and believe the apostolic congregations have been modeling contemplative action and inclusive sharing of mission and ministry for centuries — with foundresses, and women who followed in their footsteps, who were of their times, beyond their times and are now more relevant than ever in the society in which we are living and redefining.
For myself, the relevancy comes not so much in longingly returning to retro form and strict adherence to ritual and practice, but in meeting people where they are, as they are (dressed in habit or as part of the mainstream – a non-issue, for me anyway!)… addressing the needs of the day, using the tools of the day (yea bloggers)… being open to those who hear God’s call in youth, or as the same voice that never stops until it is perhaps heard and followed later in life… becoming one with, not apart from… As timeless as Jesus bringing His love to the individual soul possessed at the Temple from Sunday’s Gospel (not quite fitting in to the Sabbath service practice of the day…), extending to a world so very much in need – then and now!
That said, there were several points in the CNS press release that caused me to pause and reflect / comment:
“Sister Eva-Maria acknowledged that the population of women religious has significantly dropped during the past several decades, and that fewer nuns have chosen to teach school in the past 30 years in favor of doing social outreach.”
COMMENT: The linking of these two facts is an interesting juxtaposition. Yes, many sisters have chosen ministry routes other than teaching and are living examples of their vocations and charisms in many and diverse roles that have integrated them further into the communities in which they serve — often redefining ritual practices of community living, while remaining true and faithful to their vows. While the critical mass of having Sisters in the classroom to interact with the generations to come is not the prevalent norm, these Sisters serving in every career path imaginable brings an added depth and dimension to the insertion of religious life into everyday life. Though they will probably never be as immortalized as the old stereotypes that Sr. Julie’s “Nunday” so boldly tries to go up against!
“Recruitment is of great concern for every (religious) community,” she said.
COMMENT: The use of the word “recruitment” here simplifies and even corporatizes vocational discernment in an age of complexity and multiplicity of choices. (Quite frankly, I now always think of the military when the word has been used over the past few years). Recruiting is numbers, fitting into a formatted and uniformed mold or report. Please do not lose site of the intimate process of responding, growing in awareness, entering into relationships, questioning and finding answers, becoming who God lovingly calls — each by name.
“We live in a very different society,” she added, than that experienced by many of the U.S. saints who were nuns — Sts. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Frances Xavier Cabrini, Katharine Drexel, Rose Philippine Duchesne and Mother Theodore Guerin.
COMMENT: These were often radical, countercultural women, who went against the grain and norms (and even the Ordinaries) of the times to found religious institutes and build the foundations for education, healthcare and social services in the U. S. Women religious today are perhaps closer in touch to these foundresses and pioneers and the societies in which they lived and found ways to be women of body, mind and spirit who not only served, but had to define and justify themselves every step along the way.
Glimpsing at the profile of the congregations who are speaking for and responsible for this Visitation, there appear to be present some signs of a neo-conservatism of look, ritual and practice that returns religious life to the order of the traditional convent.
It is hoped with these principles and practices as the lens through which this Visitation is conducted, that a focus on sending forth from the convent, going beyond, branching out and bearing new fruit can also be seen — and not result in a reining in to address the challenges and realities facing religious life today.
Great discussion and food for thought for those who love and live religious life. Thanks for making it a part of this blog.
At the end of this and every day, God knows!! And may S/He guide this process with wisdom and vision for the future!
- February 3, 2009 at 7:15 am
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Great post, Robin!
- February 3, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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It certainly is a welcome move from Rome. The fact of the matter is that many in the Church have thrown the baby with the water after VII. As the recent visit to seminaries indicated, it looks like formation of men in religious orders leaves to be desired. It’s only prudent to look at how religious women are being formed in their communities in order to do the necessary corrections. After all, religious women are members of the flock too.
- February 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm
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I’ll show my cards here: I have met Sr. Clare. And in the near future, I hope to enter her community here in the States. On a similar (though not identical) note, I’ll add that I was a student at one of the first seminaries visited in the Vatican Visitation in 2005-06. This Visitation does not stem from the previous one at all. But simply in their nature of visitations, they are bound to be some similarities.
First of all, Mother Clare won’t act alone. There will be a team with her. All decisions will not end with her. I don’t know how know if this has been said in these comments, but the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are members of both the CMSWR and LCWR. That really puts her community in a unique position to reach out to all ends of the “spectrum” of sisters.
As for a “witch hunt”–the media (particularly non-church (secular) media) had a field day with that during the seminary visitations. Sometimes the lack of knowledge about these visits leads to some pretty radical conclusions. But in terms of the results of these visits being private, I totally understand that. I wouldn’t want my spiritual director (or even my academic adviser) airing out my dirty laundry for all to see. But I know I need to be open with them so I can grow in my spiritual and academic learnings. And I try my best to heed their advice. That being said, if there was a major concern, it would be their duty to report it to the “powers that be.” I don’t need to know the nitty gritty details of the visits to each of the hundreds of communities in the US. But I certainly pray that if there are issues to be addressed, the proper means of notification (either to the “public” or to religious superiors) will be addressed. While it hasn’t been said explicitly, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a public document that did come out as a result of these visits as there was with the seminary visitations.
That’s my two cents.
- February 3, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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Uncanny that “Augustine” took the words right out of my mouth. The guest speaker at a recent Bible study I attended, a priest, also mentioned the Vatican not wanting to throw out the baby with the bath water when it came to Vatican II. You know, we’re only 40 years out of it which may seem like a lot of years to some, but it’s a mere drop of water in the history of the church. I think we can only grow and learn from such an endeavor presented, and growing is something we have to do together, you know, that little lowercase “c” in our 4 marks of the church. God bless all, and thank you for a wonderful blog as usual.
- February 3, 2009 at 11:25 pm
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Katie, thanks for sharing your personal story and adding your behind the scenes insights and perspective to the dialog. May the wisdom, vision and perspective of the Trinity guide all whose actions are involved in this journey through the many charisms and expressions of Christ’s apostolic mission of love here in the U. S. God bless the gift of your “YES” and guide your ongoing vocational discernment and formation!
- February 5, 2009 at 9:48 am
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A word or two that may bring consolation to some of those who worry that this visitation could be a harbinger of bad news for our more progressive communities. Many in the St. Louis Archdiocese from “both sides of the aisle” would agree that Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman is one of the most respected and credible woman religious in our area. She is -or has been until now- the Delegate for Religious for the Archdiocese, and in her work with us has been loving, balanced and fair in her associations with communities of every stripe -and we have every stripe here, believe me! A fond memory that reflects Eva-Maria’s leadership style is an annual meeting she organizes that brings together all the bishops of Missouri with the leadership of all religious congregations ministering in the State. At last year’s meeting, many of us noticed with delight that the President of the LCWR and the Vice President of the CMSWR -listing specific names here seems indelicate, you know who they are- sat at the same discussion and lunch table in an atmosphere of complete harmony and friendship. Both of these women are wonderful anyway, and so the harmony was the product of their own gospel integrity, but Eva-Maria predictably created environments that facilitated these kinds of right relationships among all sorts of diverse people. I truly believe that she’ll be just to the extent that she carries influence over this pr0ject and that her presence is good news for all concerned.
- February 10, 2009 at 7:50 pm
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It is my hope that the vitality which emerges through transitions of the consecrated women in the U.S. who live in community will become a living model for those same struggling in the European church.
- March 6, 2009 at 8:36 pm
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I don’t know why anyone is worried about the apostolic visit. The fact is that the religious communities who are members of the LCWR are dying out. In 20 years most will be extinct. So why is everyone worried about something that will soon be gone? These communities might try to fool themselves into thinking they’re “vibrant”, but how vibrant can a community be whose majority of members are retired or in nursing homes? Feminism, eco-spirituality, liberation theology, political activism, the eniagram, massage and new age practices won’t bring them back. I say we leave them alone and let them die a quiet, peaceful death.
