Sisters are joined by Susan Sarandon to screen "Rebel Nun"
Sister Eileen Reilly, SSND, traveled to New York City in June to see "Rebel Nun," a documentary about Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, and her work to abolish the death penalty. The film was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival, a star-studded event that attracted red-carpet celebrities from Gloria Steinem and Taylor Swift to Robert DeNiro and Trevor Noah. One celebrity was Sister Helen, who is Sister Eileen's friend and mentor in the abolition movement. We asked Sister Eileen to share some thoughts about her ministry, her friend, and the film itself.
How did you get involved in working to end the death penalty?
I got involved in the abolition movement when I lived in Virginia and the governor there was killing people regularly. When I moved back to Connecticut, someone on death row asked me to be his spiritual companion. I accompanied him up to his execution and have been involved ever since.
You call Sister Helen Prejean both friend and mentor.
I met Helen when I was working in Virginia. She is the one I call when I get stuck.
Her deep humanity and compassion is revealed in her books.
One of her most moving lines is, "We shouldn't sum anybody up by the worst thing they've ever done." That strikes something deep inside me. Yes, murder is a horrible thing. But it's not the whole picture of the person.
I've never been personally touched by that level of violence. It is unimaginable. But even a murderer is still human and deserving of dignity.
They want a chance to make it right, a chance for redemption. It's a human thing to want that.
You work with the Catholic Mobilizing Network, a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph, Sister Helen's congregation. Can you talk about that?
I've been with CMN over 4 years, working with religious congregations to deepen their commitment to ending the death penalty and support restorative justice initiatives. The ministry recognizes the inherent dignity of every person and seeks ways to repair harm. It can be very healing.
Do you talk with family members of murder victims?
I speak with survivors when they check the box on the volunteer application form that says their family member was murdered. Some people aren't ready to talk publicly about it, but they are great messengers when they are.
One man's father was killed in a mugging when he was 12. He said, "The anger I felt was eating me up. I realized I had to let go of it." He later became a priest.
Some never get over their anger. There's footage of people violently disagreeing with Helen in "Rebel Nun."
The documentary made a real attempt at balancing all perspectives around the death penalty.
The death penalty must be abolished, but I feel deeply for the families of the victims too.
You've had a few weeks to reflect on your experience at Tribeca. How do you feel, looking back on it?
It was a wonderful event. It was so good to see Helen. Susan Sarandon was also there, but I didn't meet her.
She played Helen in Dead Man Walking. They are good friends.
Helen's still deeply committed and active but not traveling around as much. I'm committed, too. I don't want to get preachy, but none of us want to be summed up by the worst thing we've ever done. We all have aspects of life that we are proud and not proud of.
I was on a call yesterday about an Oklahoma case where a man, Richard Glossip, is facing execution for a crime he didn't even commit. His wife is trying to get "Rebel Nun" shown in Oklahoma. It's a movie that can make a difference.
This is where I can make a difference.
