Bishop: US Nuns Making Up New Theology

Church doctrine is for obeying, not so much debating, says the bishop who oversaw the report that condemned the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, a group that includes some 80% of American nuns. By promoting positions contrary to Vatican teachings, the LCWR is creating "a new kind of theology, that is not in accordance with the faith of the church," Bishop Leonard Blair tells NPR.

The LCWR has said its beliefs were unfairly characterized and called for a dialogue with the Vatican. But Blair said the church has no plans to revise its position on abortion, artificial contraception, or the ordination of women. Blair says the Holy See isn't interested in debating church teachings, only how to "help the sisters appreciate and accept church teaching and to implement it in their discussions." (More Leadership Conference of Women Religious stories.)