On April 18, 2012, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), in close collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a crackdown on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), an umbrella group that represents more than 80 percent of the 57,000 women religious in the United States.

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). We are shocked by the Roman Catholic hierarchy’s recent crackdown on nuns in the United States. The mandate forced upon LCWR, which threatens their works of justice, is a prime example of how the hierarchy in the Roman Catholic Church misuses its power to diminish the voice of women. We value the prophetic witness of women religious and appreciate their commitment to social justice. We are asking that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith respectfully withdraw the mandate forced upon LCWR.

For ongoing coverage and updates, visit: Sisters Under Scrutiny on the National Catholic Reporter online.