Saddened by the taking of innocent black lives and mindful of the many protests and vigils taking place across the country and in the city of Louisville, Kentucky, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth delivered a statement affirming the despair being felt because voices have not been heard.
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We, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, join in prayer with our neighbors for the family of Breonna Taylor and all those feeling deep sadness and despair over her senseless death. We stand with all who are enraged by the continued taking of innocent black lives. We affirm the despair that the black community feels because voices have not been heard and we believe there can be no true peace until there is justice for all.
As Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, we stand against racism in all of its manifestations. We stand against violence, and we believe that only non-violent protest will bring about the justice and peace we all desire.
Today we gather around this statue of Mother Catherine Spalding, our foundress, because she ministered on the streets of downtown Louisville in the 1800s. We love the city of Louisville and all of its people just as Mother Catherine did when she ministered during a pandemic and in times of social unrest. We recall her sadness at the injustices of her time. We stand here with deep concern about the injustices of our time.
As a predominantly white community within the United States, we acknowledge our part in the sin of racism. We recommit ourselves to self-examination, to prayer, and to advocacy for the elimination of racism in all its forms. We call for fundamental reform in the way policing is done in this country and for fundamental legal reforms regarding the violence and death perpetrated on unarmed black people.
We pray, and we invite you to pray with us, for God’s grace and guidance for the people and leaders of our cities and country so that as one people we will move towards understanding, healing, and a just society where all are treated with the dignity they deserve.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your inspiring words, but more for your courage in taking
the moment to speak from the head and the heart. The message is truly a PENTECOST
REFLECTION. Like the Apostles, who came out of the upper room “speaking languages that could be heard and understood” by the people of the day, YOU are speaking that same common language …. love, equality, forgiveness, compassion, peace and that we really ARE more alike than different! I am grateful and proud to be in relationship with many of you.
Suzanne
We are helpless and at a loss at all the injustices happening both in the US and India…
We ask God to give us the courage and wisdom needed at this time to be with those who are on the receiving side of all cruelties and atrocities…
Sorry, I meant Floyd’s death.
I agree with every word in this article but wonder why no mention was made of the destruction of property by the protesters, many arriving from other states. You could have told the story of the African American man who put his whole life savings into a sports bar, which he was going to open in two weeks, but was burned to the ground by a uncontrolled mob, or perhaps the stories of recently arrived immigrants who established a business to care for their families. These businesses were also destroyed. The death of Taylor is intolerable, but so is the wanton destruction of property.
Thank you. Women religious (that is many) are taking the leadership in the Catholic Church.
Finally someone speaks from the heart for all the violence sorrounding our nation. Thank you ladies for stepping up. God bless you
Thank you Sisters! You all are amazing and beautiful women and I appreciate and thank you all for standing up against racism and injustice. God bless! Together we can do better!
Thank you, Sr.Mary Elizabeth, for your SCN message to our world, especially to those people of God in Louisville, Minneapolis and around the USA who are suffering the grave injustice of our sin of racism. I stand in solidarity and prayer with all of you for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit of peace!
Thank you, dear Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. You have spoken clearly, powerfully, and publicly what is in the hearts of so many of us at this time. May the fire of Prntecost, though masked and distanced in some ways, strengthen the backbones of all Americans and our leaders to make the changes so desperately needed for peace.
Thank you, Sisters for the leadership we have come to expect from your congregation.
With gratitude and hope,
LaReine-Marie Mosely, SND
Sisters of Notre Dame
What a powerful statement.
Thank you for stating what many of us are feeling. I pray with all of you in asking God to bring an end to this injustice and cruelty. May God bring healing to all those who have been harmed and to those who have been apart of causing this mistreatment.
Thank you Sister Mary Elizabeth and Sisters for speaking the truth loud and clear through your statement standing before Catherine. We are aware of the happenings there and are saddened watching the protests and the anguish on TV.
My morning meditation reminded me of ministry in Ky in the 60’s where every mission I had involved integrating , done peacefully until I came face to face with the comment, Burn Baby Burn. Last night in Boston the reality came back but the thousands who walked peacefully thru the city seeking another way gives me hope for tomorrow, as well as why injustice and anger can lead to Burn Baby Burn.