I am sure you are filled with anticipation for the upcoming meeting of the LCWR to be held from 13-17 August at one of Orlando’s swankiest resort hotels, the Caribe Royale.
When I found their page for applying for media credentials, I was pretty excited. Right away I filled out the form and sent it in.
How can I convey my disappointment at the terse rejection note I received from the LCWR?
Dear Fr. Zuhlsdorf,
Thank you for submitting your application. We regret to inform you that unfortunately you do not meet the requirements to obtain credentials noted in LCWR’s media policy which is posted on the LCWR website.
We will count on your prayer for a blessed assembly for the LCWR members.
Sister Annmarie
Sister Annmarie Sanders, IH
Associate Director for Communications
Leadership Conference of Women Religious8808 Cameron Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910301-588-4955
asanders@lcwr.org
www.lcwr.org
Facebook: facebook.com/lcwr.org
Apparently the LCWR does not consider the blogosphere to be mass media.
Instead, they are counting on my prayers.
I’m hurt.
Meanwhile, a couple shots of the Caribe Royale.
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Wow, Caribe Royale! Hey it was worth a shot!
I think you should appeal this to Sister Annmarie and find out exactly WHY you don’t meet the requirements.
In a spirit of fraternal charity, collegiality, transparency, and dialogue, of course!!!
Very humble accommodations for the LCWR convention. I’m sure His Holiness, the CDF and ArchBp. Sartain will note them. I wonder what kind of cars the sisters will be driving?
The sisters appear to be as cunning as serpents, though I’d dispute that any are innocent as doves. The standards referenced above include two sets of disclaimers, the first is that “[LCWR] reserves the right to refuse media badges at its discretion”, the second is that credentials are solely for “[r]epresentatives of media reporting for general circulation newspapers or magazines, general circulation religious publications or broadcast news media outlets – i.e. mainstream TV and radio stations”. By those lights they wouldn’t let EWTN in or probably any recognizably Catholic periodical.
I noticed one of the leaders has the last name of Mock. How appropriate! Another has the last name of Deacon, how aspirational.
I’ve stayed there for some meetings for work. It is not all that nice. Then again perhaps a gaggle of looney nuns will add a certain ambiance.
Very humble accommodations for the LCWR convention.
Seems so. When I checked the hotel just now, the price for a room with two double beds and a full-size pull out sofa was $127 per night, or about $42/person.
The sisters sure have a bundle to pay for these accommodations or who else is picking up the tab – the CRS maybe or some wealthy benefactor?
Wonder what media is invited (NYT, fishwrap, etc)?
they don’t even have any manners
Surely one asks for prayers not counts on them.
I’ve gone off them now.
With four sisters in the same room that would be a deal! But my guess is that ain’t happening…..but then again it may!
They’re more likely to be at the bar or the rumpus room discussing the latest New Age speaker and/or authors.
Father Z., you get more readers than most of the so-called mainstream Catholic media combined. And, you would give the nuns much more attention than most media gurus, I am sure.
Simone Campbell and her string of pearls will feel right at home at Caribe Royale while gnashing her teeth and wringing her hands over the plight of the poor. Garson! More champagne!
I doubt if either Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta or Pope Francis would stay at the Caribe Royale.
http://www.cariberoyale.com/photo-gallery/
But then the LCWR is making great sacrifices for the poor or so they say.
jhayes, if those prices are correct, that is cheaper than Travelodge or the Ramada per person. One could not get a hotel room in England or Dublin for that price. Low rates here are about $75 USD minimum per person. Even the nuns at Tyburn charge 40 euros per night, with meals, however, in Ireland. Sadly, perception is important. They should be having their convention at a monastery or university campus which rents out rooms in the summer, like NDU. Would be more seemly.
Dear Father Z.,
They are counting on your ‘prayer’ not ‘prayers’. They must be of the opinion that only 1 from you will be sufficient to purpose.
After seeing the photos of the hotel, I am reminded of the old line: If that’s poverty, I can’t wait to see chastity!
robtbrown, LOL. Love it!
I think you’ll feel better about the Sisters’ accommodations if head to Google Street View and compare 8808 Cameron St in Silver Spring, Maryland to… hmm. How about 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington DC?
Friends of a feather, flock together.
It is a GREAT compliment that you are not considered as one of their “feathers” .
Maybe they don’t want to “get out” what they are going to discuss, until they can white-wash it for the media. They want “Tom Sawyers” on the job. Happily, you are no Tom Sawyer.
I had a horrible vision of LCWR at poolside.
The USCCB has plenty of their own issues to deal with, e.g. CRS, CCHD, exorbitant budget, that’s for sure, but this post is about the LCWR and Fr. Z’s unfortunate denial of press credentials by the LCWR to “let the sunshine in” on its operations.
Fr. Z:
Do you know where the bishops stayed for their meeting last month?
Makes Caribe Royale look like a hermitage.
robtbrown: “… If that’s poverty, I can’t wait to see chastity!”
Well, we’ve all known that obedience has been off the table for a long time now…
Deacon Kandra, the bishops do not have New Age keynote speakers such as Barbara Marx Hubbard address them as happened at the LCWR 2012 conference nor are the bishops, for the most part, vowed religious. The USCCB does have problems though.
https://lcwr.org/assembly
How about 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington DC?
I know it doesn’t fit your snarky, jerkish narrative, but Catholic University is actually in a particularly bad neighborhood in DC.
A quick check of the guidelines for media coverage shows that they aren’t admitting any bloggers or internet reporters to cover the conference:
https://lcwr.org/sites/default/files/page/files/lcwr_media_coverage_policy_2013.pdf
Well, the nunnies do not know where most intelligent people get their news…I mean, real news.
I noted that, too, Deacon, as did Fr. Z above. And it’s unfortunate that the LCWR has not grasped the fact that print, radio and TV are declining while the social internet media is increasing in the number of “eyeballs” – except when it suits the LCWR’s agenda, e.g. Sister Simone Campbell is all over the social media and blogosphere!
Off topic, but of interest as it pertains to money not well spent. It was brought to my attention tonight that at least one bishop will no longer promote giving to the CCHD. Where are the rest?
My deepest condolences. I strongly recommend a good Emo playlist entitled “Rejection Collection” and a long country drive followed by a good angry ballad playlist and a long fast drive on the freeway.
ACardnal
LCWR has not grasped the fact that print, radio and TV are declining while the social internet media is increasing in the number of “eyeballs
Except for the fact that LCWR’s fan base is far too old to use the Internet, thus having bloggers, etc doing media coverage wouldn’t be inclusive enough for their outreach.
You’re probably right APX. But I think the LCWR is afraid that Fr. Z may let too much light shine on the darkness, ergo no credentials.
I’ve yet to stay in a hotel anywhere that actually LOOKS like the website pictures.
As others have stated, the posted prices are reasonable by area standards.
AAA gives it three out of five diamond, which is pretty much the kind of place I like to stay. You need three out of five to assure basic cleanliness and amenities.
From what I have read before they rooms are indeed shared, maybe by two, perhaps not by four.
It seems extremely reasonable.
Also, the could be selecting Orlando because of the many flights that go in there from all over the place. They would not be the first group to chose Orlando for business or a conference. I don’t remember reading that they are going to spend a day at Disney.
Perhaps the hotel is run by a benefactor that is giving a good rate. I would bet that they are not paying the full listed price.
It’s petty to pick at the issue of the hotel they are staying at. I suspect there are more than just a few here that would not think of staying at a two out of five AAA hotel.
What is needed is to get someone with a hidden camera in there who wouldn’t raise suspicion.
Father Z, this sounds like a job for…. a Fr Z swag hankie…condolences…
I can imagine Fr. Z incognito in the hotel restaurant peering over his “Orlando Sentinel” watching the sisters eat surf & turf with a nice Chardonnay and cherries jubilee for dessert, or perhaps some fava beans and nice Chianti.
I think Supertradmum had the correct suggestion: the sisters should stay at a nice Catholic college with plenty of empty dorm rooms and auditoriums, or stay at a vacant religious sisters’ convent (plenty of them out there) not a luxurious hotel. Perception is everything.
I think people should just accept the penance the priest assigns in confession instead of trying to inflict severe penances on themselves. Even if all that was assigned was sleeping on a bed of nails for a night, surely no one should go as far as to consider attending an LCWR meeting.
… I think Supertradmum had the correct suggestion: the sisters should stay at a nice Catholic college with plenty of empty dorm rooms and auditoriums, or stay at a vacant religious sisters’ convent (plenty of them out there) not a luxurious hotel …
Why? That is entirely bogus.
Empty colleges and empty convents are not prepared for the food service, a/v, other convention needs. They would be more trouble than they are worth.
Would the priests of most dioceses meet together at an empty seminary? I highly doubt it. Hypocritical to impose a standard on others than one would impose on themselves.
This is truly a bogus issue; meaning it’s a complete non-issue being falsely raised to a level of importance.
But. But. What happened to diversity? Where is the inclusiveness? I thought the LCWR was an “all are welcome” type of organization?
This seems to be against the spirit of the new evangelization.
It’s not bogus at all Fr. Jim. Cash strapped colleges are more than willing and able to accept conferences and conventions during the summer months. Kaching! $$$$ I know. I’ve been there!
These sisters have taken a vow of poverty! For goodness sake, what are they doing at the Caribe Royale?!? What an example they are providing to others about their so called concern for the poor. I hope Pope Francis is in the parking lot checking out what cars they’re driving.
Conventions get special discounted room prices, in exchange for promising to fill a certain number of rooms. If those rooms get filled, the convention organization usually also gets free (“comped”) rooms for their own use or for that of guests of honor, panelists, etc.
The LCWR isn’t a great organization, but let’s not go overboard here with the accusations.
Actually, in medieval times, most abbesses and mothers superior were excused from a fair bit of the poverty rules, especially when they traveled, because they had to be able to interact with donors. Monks who were sent on a journey had their patched and threadbare robes replaced by nice new ones, so as not to disgrace the community while out on the road. (Monks under the Augustinian rule, anyway.) Of course, these sorts of rules may have given a bad impression to the poor.
For the past two years, the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious has had its national assembly at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.
Reference for 2012: http://www.cmswr.org/nationalassembly2012/A%20Sense%20of%20Heaven%20Mother%20Carole%20Marie%20PVMI.pdf
Reference for 2013: http://www.cmswr.org/pdf/consecrata/ConsecrataSummer2013.pdf (last page)
Fr. Z. , you probably have not met the LCWR’s requirement of moving beyond Jesus. Besides the Caribe Royal looks like something out of that Brazilian Apareceda Mass you posted last week. Just looking at the building makes me think of the “Entrance of the Gladiators” march.
Also, they sure aren’t following the Pope’s example of simplicity and poverty. Where do they get all that money ???
But Father! But Father! I thought all the liberal, sandal-wearing, peace and granola types were supposed to be boycotting Florida because of the state’s stand-your-ground law. I can’t believe the LCWR is holding its convention there.
Most Catholic conferences seem to be no registration fee for priests and religious, and while it is obvious why this one has to cost something for religious, I would think they would still welcome priests for free. I think you should write back to her and mention you are willing to make yourself available for confessions and to bless things also. But in particular, logically you would think they would be eager to have another priest there for the Sacrament of Mercy.
“I know it doesn’t fit your snarky, jerkish narrative, but Catholic University is actually in a particularly bad neighborhood in DC.”
Two points, AndyMo:
That’s the address of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, not of Catholic University (which is nearby.) It’s a somewhat nondescript but large and recent Class A office building very different in character to 8808 Cameron, q.v.
Brookland isn’t a “particularly bad neighborhood of DC.” It’s a pretty diverse community of well-maintained, if small and older, homes that has three universities within its boundaries. There is a particularly bad neighborhood to its south, sure.
I have been to lavish receptions at Our Lady of the Snows. It is a beautiful place with beautiful grounds. Excellent catering.
The Catholic colleges that I’m aware of host tons of conferences and events over the summer, keeping their cafeterias open, and have a full AV stuff on hand. They’ve got event halls, auditoriums, gyms, all kinds of different room/suite/apartment options. Honestly, they’re great places for conferences.
I’m not opposed to having something at a hotel, but colleges are perfectly legitimate venues as well.
i would rather get the news from the blogosphere than the mass media. at least it’s not a mind meld and you can search out the truth.
They are all at the twilight of their “careers” so a little break from social justice is in order and a break from living in their apartments to experience community ought to make them think they are still relevant in today’s church.
Fr. Jim,
It’s not unheard of for colleges and universities to make extra money hosting high school marching bands for their band camps. When I was in high school we traveled to universities in Illinois and Northern Indiana for band camp, and we with almost 200 students (and about 50 staff and parents) we not one the larger bands staying on campus. These universities provided double occupancy sleeping quarters, full catering, recreation areas, and were able to meet any and all of our a/v needs with a 20 minute lead time. If given the chance, I’m sure a university would have no problem meeting the needs of the LCWR if they choose to use their facilities.
All that being said its their group and frankly they can meet wherever they want to meet
If these nuns with vows of poverty are staying at a posh hotel, will they still need support from parishioners to feed, house and care for their retired sisters?
Just watched “Into Great Silence” a few days ago. The contrast between this religious order, the humility of the monks there, and the LCWR could not be more striking.
Oh, Fr. Z, you must create an alias and claim to be a reporter from some European newspaper. If necessary, talk with an accent. Dress like a tourist, grow a beard and put on coloured contact lenses, that should do the trick.
Or you can put on a curly haired whig, dress in a grey pant suit and use your falsetto voice. ;-). No?
Father, perhaps Ed Morrissey would like you to report on the conference for Hot Air.
Fr. Z,
The Wanderer has a print edition. It is an actual newspaper. Perhaps you could get press credentials through it? Or get a freelance assignment from a (print) magazine, with a letter proclaiming you to be a correspondent. Since you’ve been a Fox News commentator, that should not be hard. (Why not ask Fox?)
Dear Deacon Greg,
A second thought: I went to your (Deacon Greg Kandra’s) website (just discovered) and see that you are the editor of a print magazine himself!
Deacon Greg: Would you help Fr. Z in his venture to go to the LCWR assembly and report? As a former CBS newsie, surely you can see the news value in presenting all sides of an issue… Fr. Z is the man for the job. As someone who has jumped into this conversation and added links, clearly you are interested in spreading your views to Fr. Z’s very large readership.
I humbly suggest a generous collaboration here.
As many people have pointed out, conventions usually get drastically discounted rates for the organizers (unless it’s the IRS!!!! — they pay full price apparently). If they don’t want bloggers they don’t have to admit them — their primary base reads the NCR anyway, I would assume. It’s their conference. It’s funny that they wouldn’t let Fr. Z in but hey, if I were them I wouldn’t either. I don’t care for them or their positions but I don’t see anything wrong with this.
frjim4321
I agree with you. And another consideration is the size of the group. Not every place can accommodate a large number of participants.
Many( not all) of these orders are quite flush with funds. With declining membership the common ownership of property belonging to the order devolves to the control of the few remaining members. It has even come to pass that religious women have transfered the property to themselves, sought dispensation from their vows, and gone on to live on the largess of previous generations of Catholic faithful who would, no doubt, be appalled to see how their gift to the Church has been mis-directed. Several such persons have even put together a program showing others how to carry out the foul deed.
Also let us not forget that a sister running a hospital or medial health system seems to be getting the same salary as a member of the laity in the role. Even if she turns the funds over to her order on paper, if she continues to have active control of those moneys (perhaps because only a handful of sisters are left in her congregation) then such sham poverty allows for quite splendid stays at all kinds of convention resorts.
I think Shakespeare said it best, “Get thee to a nunnery.”
frjim4321 says:
22 July 2013 at 9:22 pm
Why? That is entirely bogus.
Empty colleges and empty convents are not prepared for the food service, a/v, other convention needs. They would be more trouble than they are worth.
Would the priests of most dioceses meet together at an empty seminary? I highly doubt it. Hypocritical to impose a standard on others than one would impose on themselves.
This is truly a bogus issue; meaning it’s a complete non-issue being falsely raised to a level of importance.
Many of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox and even Latin Catholics rent dorms in colleges for Conventions and Conferences – our last 5 were at colleges. NO trouble at all! They have kitchens you know, ready and willing to serve 3 meals and snacks.
frjim4321 says:
… I think Supertradmum had the correct suggestion: the sisters should stay at a nice Catholic college with plenty of empty dorm rooms and auditoriums, or stay at a vacant religious sisters’ convent (plenty of them out there) not a luxurious hotel …
Why? That is entirely bogus.
Empty colleges and empty convents are not prepared for the food service, a/v, other convention needs. They would be more trouble than they are worth.
Probably true about empty convents but wrong about colleges. Dorms–and their food service–are commonly used in the summer for band camps and various athletic camps, football, basketball, tennis, etc. If given advanced notice, there is no reason why empty dorms couldn’t be used for such a convention.
Supertradmum says:
jhayes, if those prices are correct, that is cheaper than Travelodge or the Ramada per person. One could not get a hotel room in England or Dublin for that price. Low rates here are about $75 USD minimum per person.
In Europe 100 Euros per night didn’t get me much. The cheapest hotel–and the best–I had was Domus Pacis in Fatima: 40 Euros a night and a walk across a parking lot to get to the Sanctuary
FrJim4321 says,
Also, the could be selecting Orlando because of the many flights that go in there from all over the place. They would not be the first group to chose Orlando for business or a conference. I don’t remember reading that they are going to spend a day at Disney.
Orlando was chosen for a reason–St Louis, Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago all are hubs with lots of flights. Usually, convention sites are chosen to make attendance more desirable.
Disney? If what I’ve read is true, many of the conventioneers are already in doctrinal Fantasyland.
Caribe Royale – demonstrating a “preferential option” … for the plush.
It seems to me that the best reason to choose a Catholic college for a venue would be to give the sisters easy access to a church or chapel for daily communion and adoration.
There was a time when we could count on prayers being offered up by women who called themselves nuns. I notice Fr. Z’s correspondent did not offer to pray for him.
Supertradmum wrote jhayes, if those prices are correct, that is cheaper than Travelodge or the Ramada per person. One could not get a hotel room in England or Dublin for that price. Low rates here are about $75 USD minimum per person.
Yes, last Fall I stayed at a couple of CofE places in Canterbury and London and they charged €130 to €140 with breakfast only ($170 to $185 – for one person)
I would have loved to have had a Fr Z play by play account of LCWR meetings, filled with commentary as only Fr Z can provide. Oh well!
My old community college residence operated as a hotel/convention centre for the summer months. Such was another community college I was living in for the summer while I was away for work. They’re by no means luxurious, but since the dorms for both are apartment style, they have their own kitchens and private bedrooms (albeit the foam extra thin twin plastic-covered mattresses aren’t the most comfortable), which is a nice feature. I hate when I have to eat out when I travel. So expensive.
I was reading their media policy and I noted that photographing or filming their Eucharistic liturgies is prohibited. I can only imagine why…
Perhaps Father Z could get Fox News to sponsor his credentials to cover it for them. :)
Reverend and Dear Father Z,
I don’t blame them for rejecting you! Your blog does not celebrate that “We Are Companions on the Journey,” and cannot rejoice that “All Are Welcome” when you don’t believe in women’s ordination, and are not prepared to “Sing a New Church” into existence. You stand by patriarchy in the Church and do not join their “Anthem” for all of us to “Walk in the Reign” in the “City of God.” When readers get through with you and saying the black and doing the red, no one can be empowered in the “God, Beyond All Names” for womynchurch is reduced to “Ashes.”
Fr Jim says:
“All that being said its (sic) their group and frankly they can meet wherever they want to meet”
True.
That group has been has DOING and SAYING whatever they want to do and say, so why not meet wherever they want to meet?
Why not, indeed?
Scandal. That’s why.
In Spanish there is a saying “No hagas bien que parezca mal, ni mal que parezca bien”
Translated to:
“Don’t do good that appears evil” (scandal)
“Nor evil that appears good” (hypocrisy)
Their (NCWR) staying at this hotel may be inexpensive or a neutral action but the APPEARANCE of their accommodations gives scandal.
I don’t want to get into the USCCB and their accommodations, that’s another bucket of worms.
I hate to pile on.
Fr. Jim,
The OLOS is hardly a 5 star establishment, hardly “lavish.” Nice, clean, good quality, but simple enough. Holy appropriate for any gathering of religious, clergy or laity with a religious purpose in mind. While there is no pool, perhaps the LCWR could frolic in the water sprays with the little children and climb about the “Jesus playground” as our little ones called it on a trip there once.
Then there are the great trails, the Stations trail, grottos, etc. Oh and one can go to daily mass and confession there too.
Cheers.
Whoops. Typo: “Holy” should be “wholly” …but it works in a way, no?
I’m not sure what Fr. Jim is talking about. Our priest retreats and meetings are always held on Catholic campi in the summer. There are hundreds of empty dorm rooms for us and food service is running for the summer class students so it’s a win for both parties. I’m guessing the dear sisters wouldn’t dream of such low class college accommodations.
I agree with whoever made the comment above about the bishops conference meeting. That’s disgraceful that they had to stay at one of the most exclusive hotels in California. Apparently they haven’t got the memo from Pope Francis about embracing poverty.
FrZ, reapply as a sacrament minister :D They need someone for the sacraments……Then if you happen to blog, on your personal blog, while you are there…well…that would be personal!
All that being said its their group and frankly they can meet wherever they want to meet
Of course they can. And they can shoulder all the public criticism their choice provokes, too. Actions have consequences, and the election to meet in a resort hotel, irrespective of price, sends a message out of keeping with the public image we would ordinarily expect Catholic religious orders to be cultivating.
Regarding the swagginess, etc, of where these sisters are staying and the Bishops, I am going to withhold my opinion. Sometimes big places, like Disney, can give great discounts. It may be cheaper but not prudent. Still, the objection may not be because of the money they are spending but the message it conveys. Likewise, if the Bishops reserved enough rooms at a hotel, they probably got great prices esp if they were using conference room.
I’m thinking they want to be in a very nice place in case the quantum trasformation is concluded and they finally become the enlightened co-creators they were always meant to be.
I think the polyester pant suits are going to clash with the hotel’s decor…
wmeyer says:
“All that being said its their group and frankly they can meet wherever they want to meet”
Of course they can.
And these people are from organizations that actively solicit contributions.
Oh Reverend Father,
Lead me not into temptation!! The right hand column of their page started out with “Invite Your Friends to Like this page”… But then again, I wouldn’t do that to any of my friends… One would think that with the scrutiny they’re under that they’d moderate that page a bit more.
Maybe they’ll run into a GSA or IRS convention. That would be quite the gaggle.
Meanwhile Pope Francis continues to urge for a church for the poor.
Father Z:
For a startling contrast, consider the example of then-Cardinal Ratzinger as Prefect of the CDF for his brief holidays from Rome’s summer heat. Following the practice suggested in other comments, he went north to the small city of Bressanone, or Brixen in German, where he stayed at a seminary that rents out rooms at modest rates to help with supporting the students. Traveling without his secretary, he was joined at table with other, typically older, vacationing priests to eat the simple meals prepared by the Tyrolese Sisters. cf. Vittorio Messori, “The Ratzinger Report”; San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1985, pp. 11-12. Is this not deliciously ironic?
Instead, the pictured accommodations above are fully consistent with the “bus” on the tour – such false modesty when the vehicle in question was actually a luxurious coach costing a half million or more – which just over a year ago you mentioned in this blog was funded ultimately by George Soros. So the real question here is who is paying the in this case? While the CDF’s assessment is limited to doctrine, a review of organizational finances would not be out of place.
Aside from all that, if they are so strictly filtering press credentials, we may infer the following:
1) Any coverage coming from the event will reflect heavy bias bordering on fiction, because
2) The content of the program will only the slightly resemble orthodox doctrine since
3) The LWCR has no intention of responding in any useful way to the CDF, because
4) They apparently have complete disdain for the virtue of humility so necessary for an authentic living out of vocation. A return to the habit would be as helpful as it is unlikely.
So sad, so unnecessary, so pharisaic – let us pray they recover before they meet their end. The perfect gift to greet them when they arrive would be a copy of Chapter 9 of St John’s Gospel accompanied by a hand mirror. Of course, if you happen to be on site…
Thanks always for your work!