When Pope Francis was elected in March 2013, American nuns who belong to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) were optimistic that they would enjoy a fresh start. The group, which represents 80 percent of American nuns, had been lambasted under Pope Benedict XVI for “pushing radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.”
Since Francis seemed to be the polar opposite, they had every reason to hope the clampdown would be lifted. After all, in his first six months in office, he managed to tighten the reins on extravagant priests and even seemed to bend on gays in the priesthood. Why not lighten up on the nuns, too?
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