CSJP Statement on the Death of George Floyd
We join our voices to those of LCWR leaders (below) to condemn the killing of George Floyd. Killing by an officer appointed to protect and save the citizens of a city is particularly egregious, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. As we explored together last year, the white privilege that we enjoy creates layers of oppression in our society that are difficult for us to acknowledge much less overcome, yet they create tensions and smoldering resentments that add fuel to the fires that burn when a high-profile, modern-day lynching occurs. As peacemakers we must do all in our power to name and reduce white privilege as we recognize it and stand up to those who speak ill of our brothers and sisters of color. We must find a way to assure our brothers and sisters that we will not pass on to another generation the suffocating, oppressive systemic racism that exists today. If we want peace among the races, we must work for justice.
LCWR Condemns Killing of George Floyd
May 30, 2020
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious strongly condemns the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. Our hearts are breaking as we mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd and with all who have lost loved ones to law enforcement violence, all who live in fear, all whose dignity is threatened. The continued killing of black men and women; the constant harassment of people of color; and the denial of the rights and dignity of our African American neighbors must end now.
Racism is America’s original sin. It is a virus every bit as deadly as COVID-19 that has infected our nation since its inception and unless and until we address it, people of color will continue to die and our nation will never heal. Racism, whether the institutional racism which privileges some at the expense others or the daily acts of hate and discrimination diminishes us all. It denies that most profound truth, that all of us are created in God’s image and each of us is entitled to dignity and respect.
As women religious we acknowledge our own complicity in institutional racism; we ask forgiveness of our sisters and brothers of color; and we pray for our nation’s healing, and we know that is not enough. It is time for bold, decisive action. We pledge to raise our voices and to act now to end this scourge which has cost us so dearly. It is long past time to dismantle white privilege and rededicate ourselves to building God’s beloved community.
We urge Hennepin County Attorney, Mike Freeman, to pledge a just and timely adjudication of this tragedy. We call on the people of the United states to work with greater urgency to eliminate the systemic racism that infects the very soul of our nation. We ask God’s blessing on the struggle that lies ahead.
LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has more than 1300 members, who represent approximately 80 percent of the more than 40,000 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, LCWR assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.
Contact:
Annmarie Sanders, IHM -- LCWR Director of Communications
asanders@lcwr.org -- 301-588-4955