A statement on the domestic terrorist attack on the US Capitol yesterday by our Provincial Leader Sister Charmaine Krohe:
“The absence of sincere dialogue in our public culture
makes it ever harder to generate a shared horizon
toward which we can all move forward together.”
Dare to Dream: Pope Francis.
January 6, 2021, a date known in the Catholic Church as the feast of the Epiphany, a day when we celebrate the light and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ; a day when all the world is praying for an end to the darkness of the pandemic, the darkness of racism, the darkness of social, political and economic upheaval in our nation became a day described by many as the darkest day in American history.
On this day, the world witnessed a horrific and despicable attack on our United States democracy and the marring of the reputation of a country known for its peaceful demonstrations and graceful transfer of power in spite of the diversity of our political opinions. It is not enough that over this past year, the world has lost hundreds of thousands of lives at the hands of an unfamiliar and uncontrollable virus that now, on a day when US legislators gathered in the US Capitol to undertake their constitutional responsibility to certify the Presidential vote of the Electoral College, we senselessly lost the lives of four people at the hands of an angry mob that could not accept the voice of a nation that was contrary to their own.
The protesters, incited by allegations of rigged elections, have not only posed a threat to the many people who work in and around the Capitol, but also posed a threat to the democracy of the United States. The severity of this event cannot be overstated. It was a threat to our democracy, a threat to our national unity, and a threat to our future as a people.
We, as School Sisters of Notre Dame, are women of hope, committed to bringing Jesus’ message of love, light and unity to the world. Our mission is to proclaim the good news, directing our entire lives toward that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent. Our very lives give witness that in our diversity, in our differences, our words matter, lives matter, and in the words of our foundress, Mother Theresa, “Unity is the one thing that makes us strong within and without.” (3006)
I am grateful to our Sisters in Canada and those across the pond, in Rome and in England, who have expressed their love and support by offering their prayers for our country. To the sisters in our province who live in the United States, even in the midst of our isolation and social distancing we can make a difference in our country.
I ask that you give witness to the power of our charism by contacting our present administration, requesting that they publicly condemn the actions of the protestors, and resolve to work with legislators and President-elect Biden to assure a peaceful transition of Administration.
Let us write to our US legislators and ask them to work for the common good of our country in a bipartisan way—engage in dialogue across differences and resolve to heal the divisions that have fueled the many incidents of violence in the nation’s recent history.
As the Atlantic-Midwest Province, let us pray for one another and for the United States. Together, let us encourage one another, our family and friends, and all those we serve to recommit to the principles of the common good, contribute to the healing of our communities, and reach out to neighbors who feel particularly vulnerable at this time.
May the light of Christ dispel all darkness and lead us safely and peacefully to a new day!
LCWR Statement on the Violence
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.
The full statement is on the LCWR website and on the LCWR Facebook page.
Let Your Voice Be Heard or Speak Softly
U.S, Sisters: Reject Violence, Heal Divisions, Restore Democracy (Voters Voice)
Spend Some Time in Our Prayer Room for Peace
