Do you support Sister Margaret Farley along with her controversial book, "Just Love," that has stirred up a hornet's nest with the Vatican because she explores 21st century issues regarding sexual ethics?

I think the question requires more explanation. Should I be demanding people abandon their faith? Should I be demanding that the State force them to abandon it? Does it merely mean that I should buy her book and show my support that way? I'm not really interested in the subject matter so why would I buy that book and not something about cooking or woodworking that I might actually want to buy?

To be clear in regard to a vague question, I'm totally in favor of her publishing and discussing anything she desires. She can do or say anything she wants and I'm okay with that. Of course, I'm also in favor of the Church reacting to her publication, or anything else they choose to react to, in terms of how they view the morality of the content and what they think they should do about it. How is that something I need to oppose? Or care about?

My understanding is that the reaction to her book was this statement: "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith expresses profound regret that a member of an Institute of Consecrated Life, Sr. Margaret A. Farley, R.S.M., affirms positions that are in direct contradiction with Catholic teaching in the field of sexual morality. The Congregation warns the faithful that her book Just Love. A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics is not in conformity with the teaching of the Church. Consequently it cannot be used as a valid expression of Catholic teaching, either in counseling and formation, or in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. Furthermore the Congregation wishes to encourage theologians to pursue the task of studying and teaching moral theology in full concord with the principles of Catholic doctrine."

Okay. That statement sounds to be wholly-consistent with their faith. So... what's the issue? In what way should I be "with" Margaret Farley?