~ by Chris Herlinger and Dan Stockman, National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report
Sisters across the United States expressed their dismay that former President Donald Trump will return to the White House — and shared their determination to serve the vulnerable, while fostering hope and unity among Americans.
Participants gather at the Nuns on the Bus & Friends nonpartisan voter engagement and education rally in Brentwood, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2024. The event was part of the 2024 “Vote Our Future” national bus tour sponsored by Network, a Washington-based Catholic social justice advocacy nonprofit. The tour began in Philadelphia Sept. 30 and concludes in San Francisco Oct. 18. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
They also called each other and the nation to focus on what really matters and to meet the needs of those around us.
Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Kentucky, offered these thoughts.
The faithful must remain hopeful for leaders who work for the benefit of all, she said.
“Now, more than ever, we need leaders in our country who have hope and a vision for the future. We need leaders of high moral character who work for the common good,” Zappa wrote.
But, she said, we cannot just be hopeful that others will do what is right. We must be an example.
“We have much to be hopeful for in our country, but we also have much work to do. We remain a country that continues to grapple with the sins of racism, misogyny, and violence,” she wrote. “We continue to pray for our elected officials, that they may govern with wisdom, prudence, and hope.”
Officials at Network Catholic social justice lobby, said that since America’s founding, we have been working to live up to our principles and the election results only make the need for that work to continue more obvious.
“We will continue the mission to promote policies that affirm the dignity of all people with the knowledge that every person — regardless of ZIP code, race, creed, economic status, gender, or sexual orientation — has inherent dignity and deserves to share in the freedoms promised in the organizing documents of this country,” they said in a statement.
Network officials said America can be a nation that works for all people, not just a fortunate few.
“The threats that lie ahead for us, especially the most marginalized communities, as the Trump administration seeks to enact its policy agenda are quite clear,” the statement said, calling on the president-elect to reconsider his promise of mass deportations, tax cuts for the wealthy, and other policies against Catholic social tradition.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia issued a statement saying that whatever happens, whatever the divisions, whatever the challenges, the answer is love.
The statement says love is needed more than ever.
“We acknowledge our concern for persons living on the margins and renew our commitment to stand with them,” they wrote. “In these coming weeks and months, may we, in the spirit of our foundresses, circle our nation with love. Together, let us be a healing presence for every kind of dear neighbor without distinction.”