DAYTON, Ohio — The Vatican has accused the nation’s largest group of Catholic nuns of having “serious doctrinal problems’’ and promoting “radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith’’ and has appointed an American bishop to conduct a further assessment.

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concluded the Leadership Conference of Women Religious has challenged church teaching on homosexuality, abortion and women in the priesthood.

The Vatican’s move has annoyed some American Catholics who feel a strong bond with sisters who do much of the hands-on work in parishes.