LCWR

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

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Justice Issues

LCWR is engaged in addressing the causes of many of the significant issues of social justice facing the global community. Below are some of the issues around which LCWR has taken recent action.

Climate Change/Environment

Many LCWR member congregations have a long history of addressing environmental issues, and LCWR is a member of the Catholic Coalition on climate Change, formed in 2006 with the support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). A current project of the coalition is promotion of the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and People in Poverty, posted on the coalition website. Also posted is the August 26, 2009 message of Pope Benedict about economic and social costs of climate change. www.catholicclimatecovenant.org

Comprehensive Health Care Reform

For many years, LCWR has been an advocate for affordable health care for all in this country. Similar assembly resolutions were approved and acted upon in 1990, 1998, and 2002. In its educational and advocacy efforts, LCWR follows the lead of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic Health Association (CHA). In August 2009, the presidents and board of LCWR developed a brief statement calling for health care reform that provides affordable, accessible health care for all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable.

Delegation to El Salvador

The SHARE Foundation, in collaboration with LCWR, is holding “The Roses in December 40th Anniversary Celebration” of the martyrdom of the four US churchwomen in El Salvador: Ita Ford, MM, Maura Clarke, MM, Dorothy Kazel, OSU, and Jean Donovan. We are marking the anniversary by inviting sisters, as well as the broader community, to celebrate their living legacy. Information on a pilgrimage to El Salvador is below.

Haiti

January 13, 2010: "Catholic Relief Services was preparing for "thousands and thousands" of dead and injured people in the wake of the most devastating earthquake to strike Haiti in two centuries, said Karel Zelenka, the agency's country representative..."

Immigration Policy Reform

The LCWR National Board called for comprehensive immigration policy reform in the United States. As a member of the Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, LCWR promotes legislation that includes family reunification, a path to earned legalization, worker protections, and an effective border policy that is humane rather than punitive.

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Iran

The LCWR presidency expressed to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice their deep concern about current situations in Iran that could lead to military action on the part of the United States. They called on the Secretary of State and President Bush to continue to engage in dialogue around Iran’s buildup of nuclear power and support of terrorist organizations in Iraq and the Middle East. They also asked that the US refrain from military action in resolving the critical issues.

Iraq War

Marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war and occupation, March 19, 2008, events decrying the war were held around the country, including several in Washington , D.C. At the invitation of Catholics United, Marie Lucey , OSF, delivered a statement on behalf of LCWR during a rally at Lafayette Park , across from the White House.

Iraqi Refugees

Iraqi Refugees

At the invitation of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a delegation of US women religious, accompanied by two lay CRS staff, traveled to Lebanon and Syria from January 11-20 to witness the suffering of Iraqi people who have fled the violence of their country and to raise awareness of their situation with their constituencies upon their return. Marie Lucey, OSF, LCWR associate director for social mission, and other current and former LCWR members were part of the delegation.

Nuclear Weapons: Complex 'Transformation'

On March 25, 2008, at the Department of Energy in Washington , D.C. , LCWR participated in the last of several hearings held around the country on the proposal of the DOE for a “stable, secure and reliable” restructuring of the U.S. nuclear weapons complex, including the building of a new bomb plant at Las Alamos, NM. Representatives of many organizations delivered statements opposing the plan, similar to the 2006 Complex 2030 proposal which received zero funding from Congress in 2007. Speaking on behalf of LCWR, Marie Lucey , OSF made reference to this year's 25th anniversary of the U.S.

Public Witness Against Torture

Following President Bush's veto of the Intelligence Authorization Act passed by both houses of Congress, a public witness event was held on March 10, 2008, in Upper Senate Park near the U.S. Capitol. Speakers from several sponsoring organizations protested the veto of a bill which would have put an end to U.S. sponsored torture. Marie Lucey , OSF, LCWR associate director for social mission, spoke on behalf of LCWR, a member of the National Religious Coalition Against Torture, one of the sponsors.

Water

Initiated by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, a statement titled “Water: Essential for Justice and Peace,” was developed for consideration by participants in the 4th World Water Forum (WWF) held in Mexico City March 16-22, 2006. Five Christian organizations, including LCWR, joined the Hopi Villages of Arizona in issuing the statement.