Advocacy for Systemic Change

Corporate Stands

Death Penalty
We, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, whose mission is one of unity and reconciliation, declare our opposition to the death penalty while reaching out in compassion to victims of violent crimes. We join our voices with our sisters and brothers from around the world who have denounced the use of the death penalty as a deterrent for crime and who consider the death penalty as a violation of human rights. (Corporate Stand Against the Death Penalty, December 10, 1998)

Human Trafficking
We, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, whose mission is one of unity and reconciliation, proclaim individually and corporately our opposition to the slavery of human trafficking in all its forms, and in every place where it exists. We affirm the dignity of all life; therefore, we join our voices with Pope Benedict XVI, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and all persons of good will who have denounced this international crime that exploits innocent and helpless victims, most of whom are women and children. At the same time, we commit ourselves to raise public awareness of the magnitude, reasons for and consequences of human trafficking, to work in collaboration with others to address and eliminate its root causes, and to support those who minister directly to victims of this crime. As women of the gospel, we challenge ourselves, our Associates in Mission, partners in ministry; and leaders in all sectors of society to take appropriate action to stem the tide of this gross violation of human rights. We endeavor to heal the pain that this difficult situation creates for poor, marginalized, and fragile members of the human family. (October 14, 2008)

Apartheid
We, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, whose mission is one of unity, are drawn toward the reconciliation of all people with God and with one another. A basic commitment for us, as for all Christians and those dedicated to the welfare of humankind, is to work to change the conditions which cause poverty, suffering and oppression.

We deplore the patterns of discrimination which still exist and continue to grow in our own country and in the world, especially the institution of apartheid in South Africa which adversely affects every human right of the black people of that country.

We affirm and support those church and civic leaders who, acknowledging the relationship among all created life, have taken steps to dismantle the apartheid system in South Africa and thus eliminate the sufferings such a structure engenders.

We call upon members of our Congregation and those associated with us in ministry, we call upon our civic and church leaders to continue to take appropriate nonviolent action, especially support of strong economic sanctions against the South African government, to bring about the end of the destructive system of apartheid and to restore black the people of South Africa those economic, political, and social rights which belong to them as human persons. (1988)