A Statement from the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, May 31, 2020.
We lament that since the first ship bringing enslaved Africans to this continent, 401 years ago, we have not stopped the deadly patterns of racism. The deaths are continuing.
We the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word commit ourselves to examine the deep roots of systemic racism and our personal racism and to work for transformation from this violence to gospel nonviolence. We invite all people to do the same, especially those who minister with us.
We listen to the justifiable anger of our sisters and brothers who suffer from brutality and also systemic racism every single day. Systemic racism and sexism permeate U.S. education, housing, business, government, medical care, sports, social groups, and sadly, even religion.
We stand with the grieving families, shaken communities, and frightened individuals. Black lives matter, every life matters.
As violence erupts, we confess our own failures to live and to teach the ways of nonviolence. We acknowledge our failures in how we allow resources and taxes to teach violence rather creative nonviolence. We confess our greed that leads the U.S. to be largest producer of large and small instruments of destruction in the world.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called people to face the intertwining triple evils of poverty, racism, and militarism. Now is the time for truth and conversion. Dr. King wrote, “The aftermath of violence is emptiness and bitterness.”
Let us study the ways of compassion for our brothers and sisters and all creation. Dr. King gives us hope, “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation.”
The CCVI Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation Committee invites you to join them participating in an online gathering “Campaign Nonviolence,” Education and Prayer, August 6 – 8, the 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Featuring Rev. Richard Rohr, Dr. Erica Chenoweth, Rev. John Dear, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., and others. https://paceebene.org/cnvconference2020?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=7c490eaa-7087-4e9f-b3ab-6e0553d76d0a (For scholarship information, contact kirk@uiwtx.edu)
Thank you for this series. You are making it easier for all of us to get through these dark and frightening days. By provoking thought and challenging us to think deeply, you are calling us to action, that which is expected of us.
Charlie Lutz
Charles, thanks for reading us! And thanks for sharing your reflections with us!
Thank you for keeping us focused and leading us on a better path. I do not believe i am alone in also lamenting the fact that so many of our fellow countrymen fell for the false promises of the person currently occupying the White House. We pray for better insight in the coming November elections.