Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
Public Comment to the Energy Department on the
Plans for New Nuclear Weapons Development/
Complex Transformation
March 27, 2008
In fidelity to the scriptures, the social teachings of our Catholic Church and our mission of unity as Sisters of Saint Joseph, we are compelled to express our opposition to the Bush Administration request in FY09 Budget for $10 million for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program and $100 million to begin construction on a plant to produce plutonium pits for nuclear weapons. We believe that the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the construction of a new nuclear weapons complex do not ensure global security and represent a grave threat to stability and peace.
As a member congregation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, we have previously voiced our opposition to research, development, testing and use of nuclear weapons and diversion of funds from human services to the buildup of armaments. In a public statement in August, 2005, the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we voiced our affirmation of the 1983 Peace Pastoral Letter of the U. S. Catholic Bishops that states: “The whole world must summon the moral courage and technical means to say no to nuclear conflict.” Most recently, in January 2007, we expressed opposition to Complex 2030.
We urge the Department of Energy to comply with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPF), to denuclearize U.S. arsenals, to plan cleanup of nuclear facilities and to exercise influence within the global community in efforts toward building a world that is free of nuclear weapons.
U.S.
Federation Sisters of St. Joseph
Statement
on the War in Iraq
March,
2007
March
19 is the feast of St. Joseph and the fourth anniversary
of the war in Iraq . We, the U.S. Federation of the
Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates strongly voice
our opposition to the enduring war in Iraq and the escalation
of troops. We are a community of 6,500 women religious
and 2,500 associates who believe this war continues
to destroy the gifts of Earth and increases violence
in an area of the world desperately in need of dialogue
and diplomacy.
Women
and men serve our country in this war with dedication
and sacrifice; we pray for a prompt and safe return
to their families. We are saddened by the dreadful loss
of both military and civilian lives among Americans,
Iraqis, and all in harm's way. We pray for peace in
the Middle East and for all who have been affected by
the violence and loss.
As
the U.S. Federation Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates
we are dedicated to action that leads to reconciliation.
We challenge leaders and people of good will to build
relationships that foster just and nonviolent solutions
in Iraq and the surrounding region. We call upon the
U.S. government and its allies to work with the United
Nations to promote a comprehensive cease fire and to
promote concrete plans for securing peace, economic
development and reconciliation among the deeply divided
Iraqi factions. Such steps, we believe, could lead to
a hope-filled future for the people of Iraq.
The
Leadership Council of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters
of St. Joseph
U.S.
Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph
Statement
on Immigration
February,
2007
We, the U.S.
Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, compelled by
the Gospel and by our heritage to be responsive to the
"dear neighbor" without distinction, call
on President Bush and the 2007-08 Congress to enact
immigration policy that is both just and comprehensive.
We believe that this policy must include:
• a pathway to lawful permanent residence and
citizenship
• a process to reduce the backlog of family visas
in order to ensure family unity and reunification
• a guestworker program that ensures labor protections
and equitable wages
• a border security and enforcement policy that
is humane
• a process whereby students who are children
of undocumented families can earn a college degree and become gainfully employed.
We must remember that these children are here through no fault
of their own; and their only desire is to become a citizen of the nation in which
they have grown up.
In our faith response to welcome the stranger among
us, we urge Congress and the Administration to work
for an immigration system that respects the dignity
of every person. Our Catholic tradition emphasizes that
all persons, regardless of their legal status, possess
inherent human dignity that should be respected. The
basic human rights of persons who are undocumented need
to be respected in all government policies.
We, 14,000 Catholic Sisters and associates, in over
50 countries recognize that no immigration policy will
be complete without addressing the root causes of migration.
Our sisters in other countries witness conditions of
impetus for migration. We have seen and know that poverty
causes people to do whatever is necessary for themselves
and their families to survive. The economic injustices
that exist in the developing countries must be a focus
of concern in addressing the immigration issue.
Trade agreements which favor corporations
increase poverty in developing countries. These agreements
eliminate tariffs that provide revenue for poor governments.
Imported U.S. subsidized crops put farmers in poor countries
out of business. Poverty around the world is forcing
an exodus of peoples from their homelands in order to
live. By signing on to the Millennium Development Goals,
the United States has pledged to work toward eradicating
extreme poverty and hunger. An immigration policy that
is humane and compassionate must address these root
causes of migration.
The Gospel
message is clear: we are called to share our resources
and gifts with our brothers and sisters in need! As
Sisters of St. Joseph, we take seriously our call to
welcome the stranger as our brothers and sisters. As
citizens, we urge President Bush and the 2007-08 Congress
to enact an immigration policy that is reflective of
the fundamental values of justice and dignity.
The
Leadership Council of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters
of St. Joseph
What is
Corporate Voice?
"We
pledge ourselves to the pursuit of justice by making our
own the teachings of the Church and by developing a heightened
social consciousness...in the spirit of unity and reconciliation."
( Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph
#22.1)
There
are many ways that we, as a religious congregation in
the Church, and as women religious, commit ourselves to
being a voice for the voiceless; an advocate for victims;
and, a sign of God's Spirit. The following illustrate
our use of corporate voice:
Corporate
Stand
One
way that clearly manifests being the "voice of the body"
is the taking of a corporate stand. Our fidelity to our
corporate stands witnesses to our mission and charism
of unity and reconciliation.
General
Council
Members
affirmed the General Council's use of corporate
voice on behalf of the membership at Chapter
2004. In addition, the CSSJ Federation Leadership Assembly
unanimously affirmed an operative principle for use in
such situations:
Any
decision to respond with a corporate voice will be stimulated
by the inner imperative rooted in the gospel and our charism
and compelled by discernment, based on the life, tradition,
and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph . (Fall 2004)
Social
Justice Coordinator
The
Social Justice Coordinator appointed by the General Council,
is authorized to speak in the name of the Congregation
on justice issues specifically connected to Congregational
documents, Mission and Vision Statements, and Chapter
mandates.
The
Congregation's voice is heard at the highest level of
corporate decision-making in companies where we own stock
via the Philadelphia Coalition for Responsible Investment
(PACRI ) and the Interfaith Center on
Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) .
Commission
for Justice
There
are times when it is expedient in the cause of justice
for the Commission to make a "group response," that is,
they respond as part of the Congregation but in the name
of the Commission for Justice. In all instances, for the
sake of accountability and mutual responsibility, leadership
is advised, and the membership made aware through the
usual channels of the justice hotline and the monthly
mailing.
Individual
Sister
An
individual's response to the hotline appeals for phone
calls, letter writing, visits to elected officials, and
participating in vigils and marches are significant ways
that each Sister can "strengthen our corporate voice for
justice." Our Chapter mandates clearly called each individual
member to greater participation in congregational actions
and networks in order to join with others to make our
voices heard.
Our
commitment at chapter to a process of contemplation,
education, and conversation is an essential component
of an individual Sister's discernment. In some instances
the sensitivity of the issue may not only warrant personal
discernment, but also require communal discernment with
a representative of the congregation. An individual's
public witness must be congruent with our corporate nature
and mission.
