Vatican Seeks 'Reciprocal Understanding' with Nuns

The Vatican says it's hoping to forge a "reciprocal understanding" with U.S. nuns over its recent crackdown on the largest umbrella group of American sisters.

Sister Pat Farrell, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, is to meet Tuesday with the head of the Vatican's doctrine office, American Cardinal William Levada, as well as with the bishop who has been named to oversee a Vatican-mandated overhaul of the group.

The Vatican in April accused the nuns of promoting "certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith."

The LCWR says the Vatican inquiry was "flawed" and said Farrell will raise the group's concerns with Levada.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Monday he hoped the meeting would forge a "reciprocal understanding of the reasons" the Vatican made this move.