French sisters renounce vows after Vatican power struggle

VATICAN CITY – Nearly all the members of a French religious order of nuns have decided to renounce their vows rather than live under a Vatican commissioner appointed after a dispute with the local bishop.

The Vatican last year suspended the government of the Little Sisters of Marie, Mother of the Redeemer and removed the superior and novice mistress following an investigation apparently sparked by a dispute over the future of homes for the elderly in southern France where the sisters minister.

The Little Sisters complained that the commissioner the Vatican named to run the order knew nothing of their way of life or spirituality.

In a Nov. 7 letter, 34 of the 39 Little Sisters said they “have no other choice but to renounce our vows.”

The Vatican didn’t immediately comment Thursday.