UNITED STATES
The New York Times
Sister Patricia McDermott is the president of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The sisters sponsor and serve in more than 200 organizations that work with those in need in the U.S., Central and South America, Jamaica, Guam and the Philippines.
Updated June 12, 2012
How might we understand this moment in time as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious meets with the bishops who lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith? Where can we find common ground that honors the doctrine of our church while inviting dialogue?
The role of our Catholic Church’s authority is to protect and cherish the heritage of our treasured doctrine. But doctrine needs to be considered in connection with what is happening in our world.
What many women religious desire today is an open exploration that respects current doctrine while making room for new thinking and new ministries to respond to the needs of our world. In fact, while most sisters are quite faithful about doctrinal issues—it’s not what is most urgent to us in serving those who are poor.
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