Every month, one of our Sisters or Associates writes a reflection on a topic related to social justice. We welcome you to read and reflect on these essays, contemplating your own thoughts on these important issues of our day.
"What you do to the least of these people, you do to me." ~ Matthew 25:40
Polls say that about nine million Americans (about 3.8%) identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Other research suggests this number is low because individuals self-identifying as such places them at risk. A conservative estimate is that LGBT people make up about 10% of the US population.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!" I remember hearing this sing-song chant as a child. What a LIE! I suppose it was our best line of defense when the prevailing belief was that the best way to deal with bullying was to ignore it. Today, school bullying and cyber bullying statistics show that 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally, and physically and that one in five students admits to doing some bullying (US Bureau of Justice School Bullying and Cyberbulling Statistics). I think it should be obvious to all of us that those numbers are begging not to be ignored.
As Dominican Sisters of Peace, we have committed ourselves to be women of peace who: "Promote justice through solidarity with those who are marginalized, especially women and children, and work with others to identify and transform oppressive systems." This Chapter Commitment is a living document.
January 2013 marked the beginning of the new year, the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the second Inauguration of President Barack Obama. We celebrate each of these remarkable moments in our history as a way to remember and fill our minds, hearts, and souls with the enormity of the meaning of each event. Americans do this. They select moments in their history of which they are most proud. They select people and actions which demonstrate that we can act together to right wrongs, to honor courageous lives, and to move forward in a democratic process that seeks to reconcile differences peacefully.
The 113th Congress of the United States begins on January 4, 2013. It is likely that this session will be as contentious as previous ones; however, there are just too many issues that must be addressed for our legislators to continue as they have. Congressmen and women and senators listen to their constituents so it is important for each of us to give voice to our concerns. Below is a letter that I recently sent that addressed my concerns. It was written before the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, which means that gun control is even more important than ever. You are welcome to use my letter as a starting point for voicing your own concerns or you can write your own. You can send a letter or an email. We each need to spell out clearly what we want our representatives to do for us.
On October 16, 2012, Sr. Margie Davis and I joined about 350 people to learn about "Peacemaking Circles" as a means of restorative justice. Margie and I learned the importance of responding to those who have been harmed in a respectful and loving way. It was a very powerful and emotionally moving experience.
Fr. Dave Kelly, CPPS, and Mary Hallinan introduced us to the subject, and three young men gave witness talks about how such Circles became a way of living.
Elder abuse is a growing problem. It's not exactly known why it occurs or how to stop its spread. Research indicates that perhaps one in ten elders experience some type of elder abuse but only about one in five cases is ever reported.
Categories: Elder abuse can be broken into three categories: domestic, institutional, and self-neglect.
Domestic abuse is maltreatment of an elder by a relative, friend, or caregiver that occurs in the elder's home or the home of the caregiver.
Institutional abuse occurs in residential facilities for elders (eg. nursing homes, foster homes, board and care facilities) by paid caregivers, staff, or professionals.
The south end of Columbus, Ohio, once filled with bustling neighborhoods of hard-working, mostly blue-collar families, has been decimated by plant closings and population migration to the suburbs. Poverty and gang violence has taken its toll. Many houses sit abandoned and deteriorating. Our pastor had a vision of the former rectory of Corpus Christi Parish being transformed from yet another empty building into a community outreach and spirituality center. Thanks to some generous benefactors and a crew of parishioners and friends who volunteered for five months, the first floor of the building (whose basement has housed the Dominican Learning Center for almost 20 years) has been completely renovated and was officially blessed and opened on September 16 as Corpus Christi Center of Peace!
Justice is giving to others what is their due; economic justice is giving to others what is their due economically. The idea of economic justice can be traced back to biblical references. We also find that our brother, Thomas Aquinas, spoke of a just wage in his SUMMA. Most of us were brought up on reading and studying Papal encyclicals such as Leo XIII's RERUM NOVARUM, issued in 1891, and Pius XI's QUADRAGESIMO ANNO, written on the 40th anniversary of Rerum Novarum in 1931.
