Leaders of the largest organization representing women religious in the United States issued a statement Monday that they will continue the dialogue with church officials demanding reform, but they will also protect the integrity of their group.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is made up of leaders from religious communities across the nation and represents about 80 percent of the women religious in the U.S. The group held its annual four-day assembly [2] in Nashville, Tenn., last week, where much of the conversation was about the ongoing doctrinal assessment and demands for reform by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Following the assembly, which ended Friday, the LCWR national board held a three-day meeting and on Monday afternoon issued a statement on its work with Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain to implement the mandated reforms.

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