Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary signed on in support of the following endorsements for justice:
June 1: Sisters of Charity, BVM joined other organizations in a letter supporting continued funding for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the U.S. Programs that receive funds have been alerted to expect drastically reduced grants in the coming year. Gamaliel sent a letter to members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
June 11: Sisters of Charity, BVM signed onto a letter calling on Congress to reject arbitrary funding levels for non-defense discretionary funding (NDD) and fund NDD at a level that recognizes rising costs and the need to invest in families and communities. CRD Associates sent letters to Charles Schumer, Senate Majority Leader; Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader; Mike Johnson, House Speaker; and Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader.
July 10: Sisters of Charity, BVM endorsed a letter urging the Governor of California to grant universal clemency to commute the sentence of every individual on death row in California. California Clemency sent a letter to Gavin Newsom, Governor of California.
Aug. 5: Sisters of Charity, BVM endorsed a petition to urge the U.S. Department of Energy to withdraw $182 million in federal loan guarantees for International Recycling Group’s proposed facility in Erie, Penn. The proposed facility would accept tons of plastic waste per year to recycle and convert the rest to fuel to be burned in a steel mill in northwest Indiana. Erie Benedictines for Peace sent a petition to Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Sept. 16: The BVM Council signed onto a letter urging the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform including creation of a reasonable path to citizenship for immigrants, especially farm workers.
National Farm Worker Ministry sent letters to Alex Padilla, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety as well as Tom McClintock, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.
Oct. 2: Sisters of Charity, BVM supported a petition to add the Feast of the Mystery of Creation on September 1 to the Roman Catholic calendar on the first Sunday of September. UISG-USG Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission, Laudato Si’ Movement, and Laudato Si’ Research Institute sent a petition to the Dicastery for Divine Worship, Vatican.
Oct. 9: The BVM Council signed onto a faith-based statement in support of sustainable investing describing reasons the faith community is actively involved in applying religious values and principles, as well as fiduciary concerns, to investment decisions. Many faith-based groups received a letter from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee alleging their work to undertake investor stewardship on climate change may violate anti-trust laws. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility sent statements to members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
Oct. 12: The BVM Congregation supported a letter calling for a permanent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, suspension of U.S. weapons transfer to Israel, and diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict. Sisters of Mercy of the Americas sent letters to members of the U.S. Senate.
Nov. 4: Sisters of Charity, BVM joined other organizations in a letter urging President Joseph Biden to make federal executions impossible through several immediate actions including pledging to support and sign the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act that abolishes federal and military death penalty laws in the United States, removes the possibility of death sentences, and mandates fair resentencing of those currently on federal and military death rows. Death Penalty Action sent a letter to Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States.
Nov. 25: The BVM Council signed onto a letter urging the Biden administration to take action to protect human rights and democracy defenders in Central America, those seeking asylum at the U.S./Mexico border, and migrants who have built a life in the United States. Root Causes Initiative sent a letter to Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States.