The discussion between U.S. women religious and Vatican officials that followed "blunt," confrontational opening remarks by the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was "frank and open," says a U.S. archbishop present at the April 30 meeting.
Ultimately, it was "a very helpful meeting," according to Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, the Vatican-appointed delegate tasked with reforming the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
The discussion "took place in very respectful conversation," Sartain said in a statement released Monday. "Everyone who took part expressed gratitude for both the frankness and breadth of our conversation."
The LCWR leadership – St. Joseph Sr. Carol Zinn, Franciscan Sr. Florence Deacon, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sr. Sharon Holland, and St. Joseph Sr. Janet Mock, LCWR executive director – met with Sartain; Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and other congregation officials April 30 at the Vatican.