U.S.: Franciscans side with the LCWR

ROME
Vatican Insider

The Franciscan Brothers Minor have sent an open letter to Rome asking for the rules of the Catholic Magisterium to be respected

Maria Teresa Pontara Pederiva
Rome

Some are talking about a “boomerang effect” but it is still early days. The reactions triggered by the Vatican’s investigations into the LCWR show no sign of ceasing. After letters and demonstrations – such as last week’s one in Washington, during which the city’s Apostolic Nuncio, Viganò, opened the doors of the Vatican embassy to some LCWR demonstrators – and after stands were taken by important figures from the world of culture, journalists and individual clerics such as the Jesuit, James Martin, it is now the turn of the Franciscan Brothers Minor of the United States to do their bit. The organisation sent an open letter, dated 31 May, to Rome which is now being published across U.S. and foreign media.

The fact that the letter was signed by the heads of all 7 American Provinces and that the minister general was also an American – the only one in the Order’s history – proves it is an influential document. The minister general, Fr. John Vaughn from the Province of Santa Barbara (which comprises all Western American states) had lived in Rome from 1985 to 1991.

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