Dear Friends, The National Coalition of American Nuns, an organization of justice-seeking women religious in the United States, commends the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney for withdrawing a controversial component from its draft pastoral plan. The proposal of having school principals, deputy principals, and religious education co-ordinators make a public "vow of fidelity" to church teaching on homosexuality, birth control, and women's ordination was inappropriate. Such a policy gives the perception that Church leaders are preoccupied with sexual issues, which are not central to the basic Christian message. A brief statement by which all Catholic leaders, whether in schools or other Catholic institutions, are asked to affirm Gospel values and pledge themselves to work for God's reign of justice and peace in the world constitutes a fuller expression of Catholic faith and identity and is more reflective of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. We pray that you will have a global vision as you continue to develop your pastoral plan for the Archdiocese of Sydney. Sincerely, Jeannine Gramick SL, Donna Quinn OP, Beth Rindler SFP for the Board of the National Coalition of American Nuns
