Columbus diocese to suppress Daughters of Mary after Vatican denies recognition

Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, has announced that the Daughters of Mary, a religious community active in the diocese for 24 years, will be formally suppressed in October. The decision follows the Vatican's refusal to recognize the community as an "institute of diocesan right," citing unspecified problems with formation.

In a letter dated August 10, Fernandes noted the community's "apostolic works." The Daughters of Mary follow a way of life that is part contemplative and part apostolic, and are committed to devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Virgin Mary. An official of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life, headed by Sister Simona Brambilla, said the community would not be approved as an institute of diocesan right "either now or in the future."

Because that approval would not come, the bishop said suppression was the "only option" that would allow the members to discern their vocations in another institute. Fernandes said the community had worked to reform and clarify its constitutions and its particular charism, but the formation problems continued. "Over the past several years, certain problems of formation and abuses associated with the evangelical counsels have been brought to my attention," he wrote.

Fernandes said that despite sincere attempts to address the problems and to keep the dicastery informed, he was told the community would not be approved in the future because of difficulties in its community life dating back to its beginnings. He said some of the women may have a genuine vocation as consecrated religious in an order recognized by the Church, and that suppression was necessary so that members could discern their vocations in a new association or institute.

Acceptance and trust

The Daughters of Mary replied in a letter also dated August 10, expressing sadness and gratitude to the bishop. "We have been informed that the Dicastery has decided that our community will not be considered for approval as an institute of diocesan right, now or in the future," they wrote.

The community said it accepted God's will and trusted that its work would continue to bear fruit. It will cease to exist in October 2026. "We have witnessed His grace in countless lives through this apostolate," the sisters wrote, adding that "the friendships formed and the love of Christ shared will endure in ways that only God knows."