Corporate Stances by Topic

• Climate Change/Ecology

  

  Dominican Sisters of Adrian

  The Dominican Sisters of Adrian stand for climate and ecological justice and are committed to work for the common good of the whole Earth community. We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, when we must take steps to halt or lessen the impact of global climate change on our world. In fidelity to our call to reverence life, we recognize our place within the balance and harmony of Earth’s magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms. 

  Along with our commitment, as individuals and as a Congregation, to “live simply and sustainably for the sake of the whole Earth community,” we have been engaged in the issue in a number of ways.  Through the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, founded by Sister Patricia Siemen, OP, we educate the public on the inherent right of all of creation to thrive—not just to serve as a material resource for human beings—and work for a legal system that acknowledges the rights of all of creation. Voices for Earth Justice, directed by Associate Patricia Gillis, is an “interfaith network of people committed to prayer, education and action that deepen our sense of wonder, responsibility, and gratitude for all creation.” Our campus Permaculture site models ways of living more lightly and sustainably on Earth.

  Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, Blauvelt, Caldwell, Hope, and Sparkill

  Dominican Sisters Commit to Work on Climate Change Impacts Climate Justice Calls us to Seek Sustainable Life Habits

  Amityville, Blauvelt, Hope, Sparkill, NY and Caldwell, NJ: Five congregations of Dominican Sisters–the Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration–join their voices and efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and build more sustainable lifestyles. Speaking and acting on behalf of Earth systems, essential for the continuation of life, is an important element in the work of justice inherent in the life of a Dominican Sister. By joining together to speak as one voice, organizing actions to protect the environment, and advocating for policies that protect the most vulnerable among us and our environment, the Sisters join the growing number of individuals and families in the Climate Change Movement.

  In instituting this Corporate Stance on Climate Change, the Sisters commit to:

  • Lending our individual and collective voice to those efforts, consistent with our Catholic faith and the Dominican search for truth, that seek to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.
  • Changes in lifestyle individually and collectively that will reduce our carbon footprint upon the planet and encourage others to do the same in our homes, at places of work, at the institutions where we have influence and in our communities of worship.
  • Educating ourselves, family, friends, neighbors and colleagues about global warming and ways to address this challenge.
  • Joining like-minded groups to mobilize awareness and action toward a more sustainable future by working for systemic change and legislation to protect the environment and the community of life.
  • Making responsible investments, supporting the development of sustainable energies and advocating for more environmentally responsible corporate policies and practices.

  This corporate stance binds us, individually and corporately, to make decisions that protect our environment, to take actions that make our daily lives less harmful to the environment, and to invite others to understand that protection of Earth systems is essential for insuring a healthy planet for future generations. April, 2015

  Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration represents over 1,000 Sisters and Associates from Dominican congregations of Roman Catholic Sisters in New York and New Jersey, dedicated to serving God’s people, especially the most vulnerable among us.

  Dominican Sisters of Peace

  The Dominican Sisters and Associates of Peace are committed to reducing the impact of global climate change. We support actions, programs and legislation on all levels to protect Earth’s climate, with particular concern for the negative impact affecting the lives of the poor. (2016)

  Dominican Sisters of Racine

  We Racine Dominican,recognizing the reality of Global Climate Change and how it is impacting the whole Earth community,

  commit to support life sustaining alternatives to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
  commit to lending our individual and collective energies joining those groups mobilizing awareness and action toward a more sustainable future. (2014)

  Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

  We, the Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration* (OP-SCC) in partnership with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, believe that our present relationship with Earth and the resources provided by Earth are grievously imbalanced and harmful to the planet itself. The impact of human action stresses and overwhelms the self-sustaining and self-correcting capacities of our environment, narrows biodiversity, and threatens the capacity of Earth to support future generations.

  We recognize that the reality of global climate change negatively impacts the community of life in ways that go well beyond our understanding. We recognize that the negative impact on the human community is experienced more forcefully and comprehensively by persons who are living in poverty, living close to the land, and living in fragile ecological ecosystems.

  We believe that we are called to protect the vitality, diversity, and uniqueness of Earth and the community of life sustained by Earth. This call compels us to act individually, communally, and systemically on behalf of Earth, the community of life, and all future generations within this sacred community.

  1. We commit to lending our individual and collective voice to those efforts, consistent with our Catholic faith and the Dominican search for truth, that seek to mitigate the effects of climate change.
  2. We commit to changes in lifestyle individually and collectively that will reduce our carbon footprint upon the planet and encourage others to do the same in our homes, at places of work, at the institutions where we have influence, and in our communities of worship.
  3. We commit to educating ourselves, family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues about global warming and ways to address this challenge.
  4. We commit to joining like-minded groups to mobilize awareness and action toward a more sustainable future by working for systemic change and legislation to protect the environment and the community of life.
  5. We recommit to responsible investments, supporting the development of sustainable energies and advocating for more environmentally responsible corporate policies and practice.

  Dominican Sisters of Springfield

  We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. (Adapted from Earth Charter Preamble)

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, recognize the reality of Global Climate Change and its impact on the whole Earth community, particularly on poor and vulnerable persons. We commit to lending our individual and collective voice to those efforts, consistent with our Catholic faith and the Dominican search for truth, that seek to mitigate the effects of Climate Change. (Adopted June 2012)

• Death Penalty

  

  Dominican Sisters of Adrian

  In their commitment to the life and dignity of every human person, the Adrian Dominican Sisters stand in solidarity against the death penalty. We share in the pain and suffering of the victims of violence, and their families, and support them in prayer, compassion, and the struggle for healing and justice. At the same time, we call on the citizens of the United States to forgiveness and compassion for the offender, leaving the final judgment to God and leaving open the possibility of reform and redemption for the offender. The Catholic Church’s social doctrine recognizes that the state may impose the death penalty upon criminals convicted of heinous crimes, but only if this is the only available means to protect society from a grave threat to human life. This condition is almost non-existent today.

  Although our home state of Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1846, the Adrian Dominicans are mindful of inmates who are executed. On the day of an execution, a bell tolls at 3:00 p.m. to remind the Sisters, Associates, and Co-workers to pray for the person scheduled to be put to death. 

  Dominican Sisters of Amityville

  “Choose Life”

  The Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, New York, numbering 700-plus* in the New York area, have taken a corporate stance against the death penalty. In response to Governor Pataki’s pledge to reinstate the death penalty, this congregation by direct vote commits itself to reject all forms of violence.

  “We the undersigned stand against any legislation instituting the death penalty in New York State.”

  Corporate Stance Statement December 29, 1994

  Dominican Sisters Of Caldwell

  The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, NJ are committed to support the abolition of the death penalty.

  We join with Pope John Paul II and the U.S. Bishops, and many other religious groups in calling for an end to this kind of punishment for violent crimes.

  At the same time, we reach out in compassion to victims of violence and their families.

  We are mindful also of the other members of the community suffering from the offenders’ crimes.

  Affirmed at Assembly in July, 2002

  Dominican Sisters of Hope

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Hope, declare our opposition to the death penalty. We do not believe it is a means for dispensing justice or a deterrent to future criminal acts.

  
  We attest that individual action is good and indispensable, but it is not adequate to the challenge of world issues which involve human rights. We corporately take this stance, choosing life over death, because of our belief in the dignity of the human person and our belief in the possibility of individual transformation.

  We are conscious that this stance is made in the 25th anniversary year of the reinstatement of the death penalty in the United States.

  As women of faith, we give our lives to imitating the compassion of Jesus whose forgiveness instilled hope into the lives of the people he encountered. Although we grieve with those who have lost loved ones through violence, we refuse to give momentum to the rhythm of revenge.

  Dominican Sisters of Houston

  The Dominican Sisters of Houston call for the abolition of the Death Penalty in Texas and throughout the United States. As women of faith, we believe in the sanctity of human life and in a merciful and forgiving God who offers the opportunity for redemption, change and growth.

  We stand in solidarity with the Catholic Bishops of Texas, who, in their October, 1997 statement on capital punishment, say, “We implore all citizens to call on our elected officials to reject the Death Penalty and replace it with non-lethal means of punishment which are sufficient to protect society from violent offenders of human life and public order.”

  Our compassion goes out to those victims and their families who suffer at the hands of accused and/or convicted criminals. However, we believe that the Death Penalty is an inappropriate response that seems to encourage a culture of violence. Furthermore, capital punishment has not proved to be a deterrent to crime. (1997)

  Dominican Sisters of Peace

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates, respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Therefore, we believe that the death penalty should be abolished because it is contrary to our Catholic faith. We urge immediate commutation of all death sentences and passage of legislation to repeal all statutes authorizing capital punishment at the state and federal levels. We pledge our support to efforts to abolish the death penalty. (2019)

  Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose

  We, the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary, an international congregation of consecrated women, affirming the sacredness and dignity of all human life, oppose the death penalty as immoral.

  In so doing, we stand in solidarity with Pope Francis, Dominicans throughout the world, other religious congregations, and all people who call for the abolition of the death penalty on religious, moral, or humanitarian grounds.

  We commit to working toward an end of state sanctioned killing by:

  • Learning as much as possible about the issue of the death penalty
  • Standing against the culture of violence prevalent in our society
  • Addressing issues of restorative justice
  • Reaching out in compassion to the victims
  • Reaching out in compassion to the accused
    ­
  • Reaching out in compassion to the families of victims and families of the accused to support them in their loss and pain

  Dominican Sisters of Racine

  As Racine Dominicans, we believe that all life is sacred and created by God; therefore, we see all human life as significant and valuable.

  When governments implement the death penalty, the life of the convicted person is devalued; the possibility of change is eliminated if that person’s life ends. The gift of reconciliation must be offered to all individuals without exception. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty and urge its elimination from all criminal codes. (2006)

  Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, oppose the use of the death penalty in the United States. We believe in the dignity of human life and in the merciful and forgiving God who opens the way for redemption, conversion, and growth. (2002)

  Dominican Sisters of Springfield

  We, the Springfield Dominicans, recognize and respect the dignity of all persons and seek to end all forms of violence in our lives and in our world. We therefore seek the abolition of the death penalty. (Adopted June 1999)

  Addendum: On March 9, 2011, Illinois became the 16th state to abolish the death penalty. Governor Pat Quinn noted, “It is impossible to devise a system that is consistent, that is free of discrimination on the basis of race, geography or economic circumstance, and that always gets it right.”

  Dominican Sisters of Tacoma

  We, the Dominican Sisters and Associates of Tacoma, choose life over death. We believe in the consistent ethic of life, the sacredness of all creation and the dignity of each human life. We stand in solidarity with our Dominican Sisters, the USCCB, Pope Francis and others in opposing the death penalty for all persons. Adopted June 25, 2016.

• Human Trafficking

  

  Dominican Sisters of Adrian

  The Adrian Dominican Sisters “stand in support of human rights by opposing human trafficking (children, women and men) for the purpose of sexual exploitation and any other form of slavery. We will educate ourselves and others regarding the magnitude, causes and consequences of this abuse, wherever we are missioned and throughout the world. …We will advocate for policies and programs that address the prevention of the trafficking of children, women and men.” (Adrian Dominican Corporate Stance, December 2008)

  The Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center (IPJC), whose Program Director is Sister Judy Byron, OP, organizes a silent vigil to raise awareness of human trafficking on the first Sunday of every month. Sisters in Adrian started a human trafficking task force in 2009 that has now become a larger Lenawee County community effort, joined by members of the local chapter of Zonta International, as well as local law enforcement professionals, professors, medical personnel, social workers, students, and concerned citizens. In Illinois, Project IRENE (Illinois Religious Engaged in Nonviolent Endeavors) provides an avenue for women religious of the state to be involved in legislative advocacy for justice. Since 2010, Project IRENE has successfully advocated for one bill each year to enable the state to prosecute human traffickers and protect and uphold the rights of the victims. 

  Dominican Sisters of Amityville

  We, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, NY and Associates of the Congregation of the Holy Cross of Amityville, New York, hereby state our objection to and condemnation of all trafficking of persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation and/or any coerced commercial or other activity. We condemn the actions of those who promote all activities which violate fundamental human rights and Federal and State laws which prohibit such trafficking. (March 31, 2008)

  Dominican Sisters Of Caldwell

  We, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, stand in support of human rights by firmly opposing trafficking of all persons, especially of women and children, for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

  We will educate ourselves and others regarding the magnitude, causes and consequences of this modern-day slavery and advocate for policies and programs that lead to its eradication, prevention and healing.

  We commit ourselves to work for systemic change in our own society that will give voice to and liberate those whose poverty makes them vulnerable to traffickers.

  In so doing we add our support and solidarity with Dominican Congregations worldwide and the many Religious Congregations who have joined in these efforts on behalf of all who are affected by Human Trafficking.

  Affirmed on June 12, 2009
  Feast of the Sacred Heart

  Dominican Sisters of Hope

  We, Dominican Sisters of Hope and Associates, adopt the resolution in support of human rights by opposing the trafficking of all persons, especially women and children, for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labor.
  
  Dominican Sisters of Hope choose at times to respond publicly to global concerns by taking a corporate stance. The issues are determined by the social teachings of the Church. The corporate stance is a statement of principle – the result of prayer, research, reflection, and discussion with possible means of implementation.
  
  Dominicans (Order of Preachers) across the country have been called to challenge the systems that dominate and oppress our world and to preach truth that liberates all. The National Dominican Stop Trafficking Committee has distributed facts and encouraged the viewing of documentaries on the issue. The Dominican Sisters of Hope leadership joined “The New York Religious Congregations against Trafficking” early in 2007. At the Dominican Sisters of Hope Assembly in July 2007, 97 sisters and associates signed letters to CEOs regarding “A Code of Conduct” with respect to human trafficking.
  
  Sister Patricia Jelly, OP, Justice Promoter for the Dominican Sisters of Hope, said: “We are becoming more and more aware of the number of trafficked persons in our area. We are committed to doing everything we can to further awareness of the issue and to enable victims to get the services they need. It is essential that human trafficking gets prosecuted.”
  
  Implementation of the corporate stance by the Dominican Sisters of Hope includes: a commitment to prayer for an end to the grave injustice of trafficking of persons for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor, collaboration with advocacy groups such as the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, support of recovery programs for victims of trafficking, and the use of our economic power as consumers and investors to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society that works against incentives for trafficking. (2007)

  Dominican Sisters of Peace

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Peace, proclaim our mission to be a prophetic voice in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed. We, along with our Dominican Associates, commit our support to efforts to end human trafficking. (2013)

  Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose

  We, the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary, an international congregation of consecrated women, stand in support of human rights by opposing trafficking of all persons, especially of women and children, for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

  We commit:

  • To Congregation wide prayer for the end of the grave injustice of trafficking of persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor
  • To educate ourselves and others regarding the magnitude, causes and consequences of this abuse
  • To collaborate with advocacy groups (i.e. our Non Governmental Organization affiliations, the Dominican Sisters Federation USA, the Dominican Leadership Conference, other religious congregations, the United States
  • To advocate for policies and programs that address the prevention of trafficking and/or provide alternatives to women and children in danger of being trafficked
  • To collaborate in the support of recovery programs for those entrapped, and to support healing presence 
  • To use our economic power, our strength as consumers and investors to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society, a society that works against incentives for trafficking

  Dominican Sisters of Racine

  The Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates stand in support of human rights by opposing the trafficking of women, children and men for sexual exploitation and international works of enslavement. We commit our prayer, study resources and action to end this criminal activity against our brothers and sisters. (2009)

  Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

  The practice of human trafficking exists worldwide. It is violent, inhumane and incompatible with the values of the Gospel. We, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, in accordance with our commitment to the building of a holy and just society, oppose the trafficking of human persons. (2008)

  Dominican Sisters of Springfield

  Building on our Consistent Ethic of Life stance that “we reverence the sacredness of life and address injustice in a spirit of respect, compassion and solidarity,” we, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, oppose the trafficking of all persons, especially that of women and children. We will continue to educate ourselves. We will support those efforts that work toward ending this unconscionable abuse. (adopted October 2014)

  Dominican Sisters of Tacoma

  We Dominican Sisters and Associates belonging to the Tacoma Dominican Community, recognize the sacredness of each person. We oppose any human trafficking, for any reason. We especially oppose the violation of women, men and children for sexual exploitation or forced labor. Adopted August 2008.

• Immigration

  

  Dominican Sisters of Adrian

  The Adrian Dominican Sisters “call on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes reunification of families, and a path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants living in the United States. Until such time as this is achieved we support a moratorium on deportations.

  “The Adrian Dominicans call for the repeal of restrictive state laws that attempt to supersede the federal government’s authority to regulate immigration. In particular, we call for an end to state legislation that criminalizes people with undocumented status; denies people basic human services; and creates a climate of fear in immigrant communities and in our country.” (Excerpted from the Immigration Statement adopted by the Adrian Dominican Leadership Council in 2012.)

  Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, former Prioress of the Congregation and an immigration attorney, has trained Sisters and volunteers from the Adrian community to work with young, undocumented immigrants who had been brought to the U.S. as children. The goal was to help the young people successfully apply for temporary relief from possible deportation through the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” program begun by the federal government.

  Dominican Sisters of Amityville, Blauvelt, Caldwell, Hope and Sparkill

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, Blauvelt, Caldwell, Hope and Sparkill, believe that our present immigration law is badly broken and in need of reform: it ignores the human situation of separated families and the oppressive living conditions that force people to migrate.

  We support a compassionate and comprehensive immigration law that:

  • Provides the processes for undocumented persons to achieve permanent residency and citizenship without leaving the United States.
  • Creates legal avenues for migration.
  • Assures family unity for immigrant families.
  • Provides guaranteed human rights and labor protections for undocumented workers and all workers.
  • Addresses the root-causes of migration by protecting the human rights of workers internationally.

  Action Steps

  • Publish our corporate stance in the media.
  • Educate ourselves by staying informed of developments in immigration legislation.
  • Continue to advocate and educate for immigration reform in our ministries, parishes and with other concerned groups.
  • Contact local and federal legislators to support the issue of a just reform of immigration laws.

  Dominican Sisters of Peace

  We, Dominican Sisters of Peace, claiming our mission to preach Truth, stand in support of human rights for immigrants. Aligned with our third Chapter Commitment, we “Promote justice through solidarity with those who are marginalized, especially women and children, and work with others to identify and transform oppressive systems.” The current immigration system is so broken that it denies immigrants basic human and civil rights. We call for comprehensive immigration reform that would provide additional and viable legal avenues for immigration, reunite legalize undocumented persons and establish opportunities for permanent residency. (2011)

  Dominican Sisters of Racine

  We Racine Dominican Sisters join with other faith-based leaders and organizations in their call to our elected officials to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation that affirms the right of every person to earn a livelihood and live as a family through a safe and humane immigration system consistent with our Christian values.
  
  We acknowledge and support the U.S. and Mexican Catholic Bishops, as they, too, call for comprehensive reform of current immigrant policies in their pastoral letter on migrants, “Strangers No Longer: Together on a Journey of Hope.”

  As faith-based people, we call attention to the moral dimensions of public policy and the need to pursue policies that uphold human dignity.

  
  We believe that immigration reform must include a system that facilitates legal status and family unity in the interest of serving the God-given dignity and rights of every individual. Our diverse faith traditions teach us to welcome our brothers and sisters with love and compassion. (2011)

  Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

  The Sinsinawa Dominican sisters support just and compassionate immigration reform that includes:

  • an immigration process that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants;
  • family-based immigration reform which assures the unity of families;
  • the restoration of due process protections for immigrants;
  • human rights protections for undocumented workers; and
  • policies which address the root causes of migration. (2013)

  Dominican Sisters of Springfield

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., express solidarity with those individuals and families who find it necessary to leave their homes or homeland in order to secure their safety and future.

  We commit to welcome, support, and protect all migrants: immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons.

  We commit to assist in their integration. We advocate for policies that protect their human rights, including family unity. (2020)

  Dominican Sisters of Tacoma

  We, the Dominican Sisters and Associates of the Tacoma Dominican Community recognize the sacredness of each person. We support Comprehensive Immigration Reform which includes viable legal avenues for immigration, the integrity of families, and opportunities for permanent residency. Adopted June 2012.

• Nuclear Disarmament

  

  Dominican Sisters of Adrian

  The Adrian Dominican Corporate Stance, adopted in 2007, calls on the U.S. government to lead the way for the global abolition of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, reduce, and eliminate nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction. We call for immediate development, adoption and implementation of a plan that will ensure that there will be no new nuclear weapons, no new materials for nuclear weapons, and no testing of nuclear weapons.

  Although many people have lost their concern about the possibility of nuclear war, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recently moved the hand of their “doomsday clock” to three minutes to midnight from five midnights to midnight—for the first time in three years. “Unchecked climate change, global nuclear weapons modernizations, and outsized nuclear weapons arsenals pose extraordinary and undeniable threats to the continued existence of humanity, and world leaders have failed to act with the speed or on the scale required to protect citizens from potential catastrophe,” the organization noted in a statement. 

  Nuclear disarmament has been one of the peace issues which Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates have reflected on and prayed about during Peace Prayer, an evening prayer offered every Tuesday in Holy Rosary Chapel on the Motherhouse campus. The Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center (IPJC)—sponsored by seven communities of women religious, including the Adrian Dominicans—offers a workshop on “Peace, Just War, and Nonviolence: Catholic Social Teaching.”

  Dominican Sisters of Amityville

  “We, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, NY, believe that nuclear arms are evil. It is a sin to produce, possess or threaten to use them. We believe that the current balance of United States and Soviet nuclear weapons is an adequate basis on which to negotiate arms reduction. Therefore, we support as a first step immediate, mutual and verifiable freeze on testing, production and deployment of nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union.” (May 1985)

  Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids

  We call upon the United States government to lead the way for global abolition of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, dismantle, reduce, and eliminate nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction. We believe all creation, including Earth itself, to be sacred and we stand in witness to the triumph of life over death, love over hatred, and hope over fear.

  Dominican Sisters of Hope

  We, the Dominican Sisters of Hope and Associates, call upon the United States Government to lead the way for global abolition of nuclear weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, reduce, and eliminate nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

  We call for immediate development, adoption, and implementation of a plan that will ensure that there will be no new nuclear weapons, and no testing of nuclear weapons.

  We will work with all people of good will until there is no chance that a nuclear weapon of mass destruction can come into the hands of anyone wishing to do harm.

  Dominican Sisters of Houston

  The Dominican Sisters of Houston call upon the United States government to lead the way for the global abolition of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, reduce, and eliminated nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction.

  We call for the immediate development, adoption and implementation of a plan that will ensure that there will be no new nuclear weapons, no new materials for nuclear weapons, and no testing nuclear weapons.

  We will work with all people of good will until there is no chance that a nuclear weapon or other weapons of mass destruction can come into the hands of anyone wishing to do harm. (2007)

  Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose

  As an international Congregation, we the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, stand in opposition to a United States pre-emptive strike against Iraq or any other nation. We implore the United States to respect the United Nations process. We are committed to this in view of the Gospel mandate for peace, justice, and the care of life.

  Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

  The Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation calls for a halt to nuclear weapons systems, including a call for a test ban treaty, deep cuts in the arsenals of the super powers, control of the arms race, and negotiations to halt testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems. (1986)

  Dominican Sisters of Springfield

  The Dominican Sisters of Springfield call upon the United States government to lead the way for the global abolition of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, reduce and eliminate such weapons. We call for the immediate development, adoption and implementation of a plan that will ensure there will be no new development of nuclear weapons, no materials generated for nuclear weapons and no testing of nuclear weapons. We will work with all people of goodwill until there is no chance that a nuclear weapon or other weapon of mass destruction can come into the hands of anyone wishing to do harm. (Adopted June 2011)

• Racism

  

  Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids

  The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have adopted and seek to live by a statement entitled We Stand and Preach Against Racism, Hate and Violence. It reads, in part:

  “The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids condemn racism. Hate and discrimination diminish us all.

  “The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids stand against harmful rhetoric and actions that result in fear and evoke hatred in our cities and neighborhoods.

  “Any conversation or activity that contributes to division, hatred, violence, or disrespect of another human being hurts all of us as a human family.

  “We, as Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, see first the common ground of our humanity and allow our differences only to enrich, not to disparage. In all of our undertakings, we will notice first and foremost the human person before us.”

  AND SO WE PLEAD with all of our elected leaders, beginning with the President, to do two things:

  • PLEASE STOP! End the harmful statements that inflame and hurt.

  • PLEASE START! Use your voices to name our COMMON ground, our COMMON dignity, our COMMON humanity.

  You can lead by example – a good example. See the human persons before you!

  This is why you were elected. This is what your positions demand. This is what our nation and our world deserve.

  Finally, we call upon all people to embrace dialogue that seeks understanding and acceptance of differences and diversity. This is who we are meant to be. This is what will define us as a nation. This is what our nation and our world deserve.

  July 2019

• Common Sense Gun Control

  

  Dominican Sisters of Peace

  In the U.S., we will advocate for common-sense gun control laws such as requiring universal background checks before purchasing arms; banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines; promoting strategies to prevent gun violence; and providing adequate financial resources to establish mental health programs for victims and perpetrators and prevention programs for at-risk people.(2014)