Social Justice Statements

As Benedictines committed to peace, we recognize that prayer is the catalyst to action and ask that all who value the non-violent path hear the voices of those affected calling for an end to gun violence and the regulation of firearms.

We affirm the statement of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (see below), and join with others who call for the regulation of firearms including the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches, and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence.

May the cries of those affected by this tragedy move the leadership of our country to make the changes needed so this type of violence may never be experienced again.

Sister Beverly Raway, Prioress
St. Scholastica Monastery

Over the weekend, the Q Club, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, suffered a brutal attack on the eve of Transgender Awareness Day, a day to honor and recognize those individuals who have fallen to senseless anti-trans violence.

We grieve with those who are affected by this horrific act of violence. These types of actions, including the recent violence in our schools and universities, continue to erode the safety and dignity that we, as a human family, should all share.

The Duluth Benedictines continue to affirm the 2013 statement of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses: “As Benedictine monastic women we stand united in a 1500-year tradition, rooted in Gospel values of peace and non-violence. Our Benedictine way of life requires us not only to be people of peace but also to foster peace in the society around us. That peace is based on right relationships and mutual respect. Any violation of the rights and integrity of people, of the land, and of the environment is an act of violence.”

We denounce the recent violence that has impacted so many communities in our world and we extend our support and prayers for those who are suffering today. We pray that those injured may heal and that families and friends will be able to help each other through these tragedies.

Sister Beverly Raway, Prioress, St. Scholastica Monastery

We endorse the Catholic Climate Declaration as a public expression of support in solidarity with the Catholic community in the United States for action to address climate change.

The Declaration:

• reflects the Church’s long-standing moral basis for the care of God’s creation, as integral to our care for the life and dignity of all people in our one human family;
• calls for action on climate change, which threatens our common home and future, and impacts our poor and vulnerable neighbors the most;
• is an act in prayerful solidarity with the We Are Still In campaign, the largest and most diverse coalition of organizations across American civil society, calling for climate action and U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement;
• is organized by Catholic Climate Covenant and supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

With the Catholic Climate Declaration, the U.S. Catholic community:

• Demonstrates faithful commitment to climate action, consistent with Catholic social teaching that calls upon us to care for our poor and vulnerable neighbors, and to care for creation, so that all people may thrive.
• Articulates the most significant expression of support for climate action by the Catholic Church in the United States since Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ in 2015. The Catholic Climate Covenant will announce the number of declaration signatories on June 18, 2018, the third anniversary of Laudato Si’.

You can go the website listed below for more information about the Declaration:

http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/catholic-climate-declaration