In early November 2009, the California bishops issued a statement of support to women religious in the face of the Vatican's investigation. They thanked these "women of the Gospel... for their witness to the richness and varied gifts of the Spirit."

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will be meeting the week of November 15 in Baltimore. You have a small window of opportunity this week to encourage your bishop to issue his own statement or to issue a collective statement with his brother bishops.

Here is what you can do this week to support the sisters:

1) Look up your bishop's contact information at www.cta-usa.org/justchurch/bishopslist

2) Call and leave a message for your bishop.

3) Ask your bishop to stand with the California bishops and make a similar statement in support of women religious in the United States

4) Ask two friends to join you in this action and keep the sisters in your prayers.

For more information on the California bishops' statement, see: