Our hearts are saddened as the current circumstances remind us once again of violence and unrest within our country.
The U.S. Capitol, recognized as a symbol of the American people, the place where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation, where Presidents have been inaugurated and delivered their State of the Union Address, came under attack yesterday by individuals whose disgraceful and appalling actions disrupted the proceedings of Congress and attacked our American democracy.
As members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), we stand with the other more than 1300 leaders of Catholic sisters nationwide in stating:
We join with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness in our nation’s capital. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. We commend and thank the members of Congress who courageously continued their service to the nation last night even amid the chaos.
In our increasingly divided nation, we renew our commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.
Let us continue to pray for our country, for those who serve in public office, for law enforcement agencies, and for all of us, the American people.
During these next 12 days, let us offer our prayers for peace and unity on January 20, Inauguration Day.
In the Holy Family,
Sr. Kathleen Maciej
Provincial Superior
Holy Family Province
