Religion & Law

This appeared this morning at NCRonline:

Speaking at the 40th anniversary conference of the National Coalition of American Nuns in St. Louis, Mercy Sr. Theresa Kane offered a stinging rebuke to the Vatican for its treatment of women in general and of women religious in particular.

Referring to the Vatican investigation of U.S. women religious initiated last December by Slovenian Cardinal Franc Rodé, who heads the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Kane called it ?a sign of impotence in the church hierarchy.?

?Regarding the present interrogation, I think the male hierarchy is truly impotent, incapable of equality, co-responsibility in adult behavior,? she said, not mincing any words. ?In the church today, we are experiencing a dictatorial mindset and spiritual violence.?

But she described herself as a hopeful person. ?Why do we hope and why do we endure?? she asked. ?I have one chance, one life, and therefore I have a responsibility to criticize. Our hope comes from solidarity between women religious and laywomen.?

[You can read the entire piece here.]