Peace and Justice
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January 2021 - Repair Our Democracy
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As members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, we stand with the other more than 1300 leaders of Catholic sisters nationwide as we make this statement:
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) joins with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness yesterday in our nation’s capital. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. We commend and thank the members of Congress who courageously continued their service to the nation last night even amid the chaos.
In our increasingly divided nation, we renew our commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.
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January 19, 2021
Daughters of Wisdom, US Province
To Members of the NYS Congressional Delegation:
January 6, 2021, a day to certify the results of the electoral college vote for Joseph Biden, was supposed to be a largely ceremonial event, marking the transition of power to a newly elected President, as has happened in our country since its founding. Instead, it is a day of infamy that will forever be remembered in the future story of our nation.
We write to you as members of The Leadership Conference of Women Religious. This national organization is made up of approximately 1350 members across the United States representing 80% of religious congregations. LCWR Region 2 represents 42 Congregations of Women Religious in New York State.
Among our number are mature women who spent many years teaching in elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities about the principles of democracy. We believed and taught that the United States was the seat and shining example of democracy, a model we wished to export to the world! Some of you may have even been taught by one of us!
We join in thanking you who certified the election, knowing that it had been fairly won and certified by the states in question. We are deeply concerned for the future of our nation as others, even in the NYS delegation, continue to question results without evidence. Their actions serve only to deepen the divisions that we have painfully witnessed.
In our increasingly divided nation, we ask you to renew your commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use your energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt
Dominican Sisters of Hope
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Franciscan Sisters of Peace
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
New Windsor Presentation Sisters
Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Sisters of Charity of New York
Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province
Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester
Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown
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Statement of the Leadership Team of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace
in Response to the Killing of George Floyd
The Franciscan Sisters of Peace, appalled at the senseless killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, extend our sympathy as we mourn with his family, friends, and the nation. The array of actions of injustice perpetrated against people of color in our nation must cease. We will work together with all people of good will to eliminate racism and white privilege since we believe all are created in God’s image. We believe that every person, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, color, or religion is entitled to dignity and respect. The Franciscan Sisters of Peace are committed to the restoration of peace and justice for all.
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Immigrants Held in Detention Centers
For a number of years, our sisters have been working with First Friends of NJ & NY drawing attention to the plight of immigrant detainees in the Elizabeth Detention Center and three county jails in northern New Jersey. The Franciscan Sisters of Peace have a strong relationship with First Friends, since the mission
of First Friends closely coincides with the congregation’s focus on immigration issues.
The Franciscan Sisters and Associates provide support to First Friends through:- daily prayer intentions
- contribution of stationery supplies and funds to the 'Stamp Out Despair' campaign
- promoting awareness of the vigils, rallies, and fundraisers
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Human Trafficking Prevention
Our study and actions on Immigration led us to an awareness of the fact that Trafficking of Human Persons or Modern Day Slavery has become an international industry. It exchanges women, children and men for huge profits to a network of criminals.
In January 2010, a Presidential Proclamation set the month of January as “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention” month. In 2011 the President declared that this should be an annual observance since evidence indicated that modern day slavery abounds in our country and all around the globe.
The Franciscan Sisters of Peace have joined other women's congregations in supporting LifeWay Network which has recently opened a Safe House in New York City to provide shelter and other services to women who have been rescued from sexual slavery.
Corporate Stance
Our congregation has voted unanimously in favor of a Corporate Stance against human Trafficking,
which reads in part:
“We, the Franciscan Sisters of Peace stand in opposition to all forms of human trafficking.
We pledge ourselves to:- Pray to end the injustice of trafficking
- Educate ourselves and others
- Collaborate with organizations to eliminate all forms of trafficking
- Support efforts to assist trafficking victims and survivors
- Use our power as consumers to work against incentives for trafficking."
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LifeWay Network
LifeWay Network envisions a world in which human trafficking is abolished and every survivor is strong, connected and free.LifeWay Network joins the global movement against human trafficking by providing safe housing for women who have been trafficked and offering education about trafficking to the general public.
LifeWay Network confronts the reality of human trafficking every day by changing the future for women survivors through our Safe Housing Program and increasing awareness and engagement through our Education Program.
Since its founding in 2007, LifeWay Network has emphasized the power of collaboration in creating the slavery-free future we all envision. We believe in bringing people together to form community and address a global issue with significant local impact. Human trafficking occurs around us. It affects people in our neighborhoods. We must join together to end slavery today and empower survivors to reclaim a life of freedom.
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Minores Fund
We, the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, continually respond to the call to be servants and to enter into solidarity with the “Minores” of our time- called to make the concerns of the poor and powerless our own.
The Minores Fund is a congregation fund that directly serves today’s poor and powerless in ways that are connected to our charism and Franciscan values, and are reflected in our Chapter Direction Statement.
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