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Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation

Updated: May 2012
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
             
 Welcome to the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation web page for the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg.  On this page we will explore various Social Justice issues.  The Catholic Social Justice Principles emphasize the dignity of all beings.  In our pursuit for justice this commitment of dignity is always before us and will be expressed in the social justice issues presented here.  We are constantly aware of Jesus' message to us:  Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.
 
For the Next Seven Generations 
13 Indigenous Grandmothers 
Weaving a World that Works! 
    
   In 2004, thirteen grandmothers from Alaska, North, South, and Central America, Africa, and Asia formed a global alliance. One of the grandmothers, Margaret Behan, a southern Cheyenne is living in Lame Deer, MT. These women strive to further their vision of protecting Mother Earth and the indigenous way of life--lands, medicines, language, ceremonial ways of prayer and projects that educate and nurture children. 

     In October of 2005, the Grandmothers Council sent a letter to the Vatican asking them to rescind the Papal Bull of 1493.  This bull was issued by Alexander VI which gave the Spain the unlimited right to possess all undiscovered new land.  This Papal Bull established Christian dominion and subjugation of non-Christian pagan peoples and their lands.  This doctrine has allowed the explorers to take over the land of the indigenous resulting in a displacement of the natives.  These lands hold a spiritual significance to the indigenous.  In a recent statement by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See dated April 27, 2010 confirms that this papal bull has been revoked and considers it without any legal of doctrinal value.  Also, the Holy See will continue to be of support for the dignity and rights of the Indigenous people in accordance with Catholic Social Teachings.
 

     On May 6, Partnership for Global Justice honored the grandmothers with their annual award.  In preparation communities were asked to write a letter to be presented in a book compiled of these letters and it will be given to the grandmothers at the ceremony.  We have written a letter signed by Sr. Barb Piller to be included and it is below:
 
         May 2012
 
         Dear Indigenous Council of 13 Grandmothers,
 
         For years our Sisters and Associates have ministered to and worked with several Indian
         Nations expecially the Crow and Northern Cheyenne in Montana and the Navaho in New
         Mexico.  We have heard the stories of the violations that your people have ndured at the
         hands of our European ancestors as your land was forcefully taken from you.
 
         We ask your forgiveness for the greed and cruelty of our ancestors.  We apologize for all
         the suffering you have endured throughout the years.
 
         We join with you and all your people to walk the healing path of peace.
 
         Respectfully,
 
         Sr. Barbara Piller, OSF
         Congregational Minister
 
         Your Franciscan Sisters and Brothers
         Sisters and Associates
           Oldenburg, Indiana 

 We rejoice State of Connecticut abolished the Death Penalty

 On April 25, 2012, Connecticut became the 17th state to abolish the Death Penalty.  The law was effective immediately.  It does not apply retroactively to those already sentenced to death.  Instead it replaces the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of release as the state's toughest criminal sentence.  Connecticut currently has 11 people on death row.The other 16 states that have no death penalty are:  Michigan, Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.  But we still need to pray for those. 

 

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION OFFICE

In the spirit of St. Francis, St. Clare and Mother Theresa, the Oldenburg Franciscan Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office strives to continue the Gospel Message of Justice and Peace. This office educates, coordinates, and promotes Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation throughout the entire congregation and with groups inside and outside the community. Justice to all creatures and to the Earth is the primary focus so that we may bring Peace to ourselves and others.