The Vatican — American Catholic nuns said they are 'stunned' by a letter from the Vatican saying they spend too much time helping people and not enough time condemning gays and lesbians.

Vatican leaders wrote that some members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious are writing letters "protesting the Holy See's actions regarding the question of women's ordination and of a correct approach to ministry to homosexual persons."

The Vatican also criticized "a prevalence of radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith."

The Leadership Conference represents 80 percent of nuns in the United States.

"The Leadership Conference was stunned by the conclusion of the doctrinal assessment [which was started back in 2008]," the group said in a statement.

The Vatican has assigned a man, Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, to "reform" the LCWR.

The women might not acquiesce without a fight.

"We were taken by surprise by the gravity of the mandate," the group said. "This is a moment of great import for religious life and the wider church. We ask for your prayers as we meet... And prepare a response."