Stories about the apostolic visitations of U.S. women religious

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Members of the LCWR march through Woldenberg Riverside Park in New Orleans for a prayer service to preserve the wetlands, part of the LCWR's Aug. 11-14 gathering. (CNS/Frank J Methe)

Links to the stories NCR has published online and in print about the apostolic visitations of U.S. women religious is found here. Within the stories listed here, you will find links to documents, other Web sites and material providing background to the visitations.

The first Vatican investigation was announced December 2008 by Cardinal Franc Rodé, who heads the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This study is aimed at U.S. women religious congregations.

The second Vatican investigation was announced in February by Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Its stated purpose is to obtain a "doctrinal assessment" of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, or the LCWR, which represents about 90 percent
of the 59,000 women religious in the United States.

Millea discusses apostolic visitation at Chicago meeting, April 11, 2011.

As Apostolic Visitation wraps up, congregations feel 'power of our sisterhood' Mother Mary Clare Millea's report to Vatican due by year's end, March 16, 2011.

New Vatican official: Want to 'learn from, walk with' U.S. women religious, January 7, 2011.

Women religious honored by University of San Francisco, December 18, 2010.

Vatican official speaks of a 'strategy of reconciliation' with women religious, December 7, 2010.

When good (bad) things happen, September 17, 2010

Honored by LCWR, 'elder' speaks of its origins, August 16, 2010.

'We wait in stubborn hope': outgoing LCWR president, August 14, 2010.

LCWR initiatives have global reach, August 16, 2010.

'Women religious experiences have implications for entire church', August 12, 2010.

Theologian implores LCWR to remain prophetic, August 11, 2010.

Speak up for our women religious, July 26, 2010. An NCR Editorial.

Vatican officials, US women religious meet, July 6, 2010

LCWR regional leaders meet bishops of upper Midwest, May 11, 2010

Prophetic action can grow out of confusion, nuns are told, May 8, 2010

Mysticism, prophecy highlighted as women religious gather, May 7, 2010

Global women religious leaders to gather in Rome, May 4, 2010

Religious communities chosen for site visits, April 1, 2010 (corrected April 3)

Apostolic Visitator details on-site visit guidelines, March 1, 2010

Religious meet in St. Louis to train for Apostolic Visation on site visits, March 1, 2010

More of a conversation with Mother Millea, Q&A part 2, Feb. 23, 2010

Mother Millea's Attempt to Make the Best of It, commentary by Ken Briggs, Feb. 19, 2010

Mother Millea speaks about the visitation, Q&A part 1, Feb. 18, 2010

Two heartfelt support letters regarding U.S. women religious, Feb. 05, 2010

Brother Fitzpatrick's Jan. 28 letter to Cardinal Rode, Feb. 05, 2010

Brother Fitzpatrick's Nov. 16, 2009 letter to Cardinal Rode, Feb. 05, 2010

Rodé: Religious orders are in modern 'crisis', Feb. 04, 2010

Mother Millea urges U.S. religious to comply with study, Jan. 22, 2010

Religious life as prophetic life form; 1 of 5 parts essay by Sr. Sandra Schneiders, Jan. 4, 2010

Schneiders to explore meaning of religious life today Dec. 29, 2009

European women religious send warm support to U.S. sisters Dec. 15, 2009

Internet aims to bond women religious visitation supporters Dec. 9, 2009

Women religious not complying with Vatican study Nov. 24, 2009

Controversial questions stricken from religious study Nov. 10, 2009

Stonehill symposium played role in women religious study Nov. 4, 2009

California bishops offer support to U.S. women religious Nov. 3, 20009

Parish petition drive draws support for women religious Oct. 26, 2009

Few dioceses admit willingness to pay for visitation Oct. 26, 2009

Asia, Oceania women religious offer support to beleaguered U.S. sisters Oct. 20, 2009

Sr. Sandra Schneiders: The past and future of ministerial religious life Oct. 2, 2009

Vatican asks U.S. bishops to fund $1.1 million sisters study Sept. 28, 2009

Updated: Questionnaire for women religious Sept. 21, 2009

NCR Editorial: Support our women religious Sept. 1, 2009

LCWR seeks full disclosure of Vatican visitation Aug. 18, 2009

Sr. Sandra M. Schneiders: Why they stay(ed) Aug. 17, 2009

Cokie Roberts tells sisters: Be proud Aug. 14, 2009

Under fire, women religious leaders gather in New Orleans Aug. 12, 2009

Vatican, U.S. women religious tensions go back decades Aug. 09, 2009

Sister Anne Marie Mongoven: 'We did what the church asked us to do' Aug. 07, 2009

U.S. women religious leadership, at the crossroads Aug. 07, 2009

Women religious study to include 'soundness of doctrine' Aug. 03, 2009

Visitors in the past: Vatican oversight is new in church history July 6, 2009

Visits to religious women to begin in spring June 17, 2009

NCR Editorial: Sisters delivered the church Vatican II promised June 08, 2009

U.S. women religious study raising new concerns June 04, 2009

International nun's group supports U.S. women religious May. 26, 2009

Women religious meet Vatican accusers in Rome Apr. 22, 2009

Vatican investigates U.S. women religious leadership

Sr. Sandra M. Schneiders: We've given birth to a new form of religious life Feb. 27, 2009

Exhibit aims to dispel 'myth' about sisters: The true history of U.S. women religious Feb. 17, 2009

U.S. women religious unclear about study Feb. 15, 2009

Commentary: 'Next time, let's have the women study the men' Feb. 15, 2009

Vatican women religious study outlined Feb. 3, 2009

Vatican begins study of US women religious Jan. 30, 2009

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