Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of February is for religious sisters and consecrated women.
In his videomessage, he strongly urges consecrated women, and those who work as catechists, theologians and spiritual guides, to stand up to abuses of authority.
POPE FRANCIS
'I invite them to fight when, in some cases, they are treated unfairly, even within the Church; when they serve so much that they are reduced to servitude—at times, by men of the Church.'
But the challenges of consecrated life are not a new concern for the Pope. In December of 2021, he cited Salvatore Cernuzio's book, “The Veil of Silence,” which sheds light on abuses of conscience and authority in religious communities.
SALVATORE CERNUZIO
Author, “The Veil of Silence”
“One sister told me that she and other sisters had reached such a degree of submission that their superiors could order them around however they wished. This shows how when one's personality reaches a point of deconstruction, in constant subordination and humiliation, to the point where that person becomes nothing, and whoever has power over them can command them however they please.”
These situations can begin with deceivingly small abuses of authority, but if they're not addressed, they can destroy vocations to religious life.
CT
VM / AA
