speak for all sisters." President Barack Obama invited Campbell to the ceremony celebrating the bill being signed into law. The Network group was credited with being a significant force in the passage of the bill into law. Pope Benedict XVI On April 18, 2012, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope Benedict XVI issued a report criticizing the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, a group that represents the vast majority of the 57,000 nuns in the U.S. The report explicitly cited NETWORK as being a particularly negative influence. In response to the criticism, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, defended NETWORK and its activism. The report, which specifically accused NETWORK of focusing too much on the social justice mission of the church, was released without NETWORK being notified in advance that anything was amiss. Noted Campbell: "The sweeping condemnation came like a bolt out of the blue--it even took the American bishops by surprise--and it came without the courtesy of input or a response from our organization." However, unlike LCWR, NETWORK is independent of the Vatican and was thus able to continue its mission unencumbered. In response to the "blistering critique" they received, NETWORK created the "Nuns on the Bus" program, which The New York Times called a "spirited retort to the Vatican." Nuns on the Bus Network sponsors Nuns on the Bus. Led by Sister Simone Campbell, they place emphasis on the church's long-standing commitment to social justice. A small group of nuns travel on a dedicated bus inside the United States publicizing different issues. In 2012, the Nuns aimed to draw attention to nuns’ work with the poor and to protest against planned aid cuts. In 2013, the Network partnered with self-described "strategy center" "Faith in Public Life" to promote the theme of immigration reform. FPL was founded in 2005 "to advance a positive alternative" after "decades of political dominance by the Religious Right". FPL "played an integral role in planning and executing the 'Nuns on the Border' bus tour". References External links Official website Carey, Ann., "Nuns on the Bus vs. Bishops", National Catholic Register, July 23, 2012 1971 establishments in Washington, D.C. Lobbying organizations based in Washington, D.C. Political advocacy groups in the United States Religious organizations based in Washington, D.C. Christian organizations established in 1971 Catholic Church in the United States Catholic advocacy groups Religious activism