Congress/ Honoring Catholic Sisters for their Contributions to the United States

112TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. ll

Honoring Catholic sisters for their contributions to the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ms. DELAURO submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on June 18, 2012

RESOLUTION

Honoring Catholic sisters for their contributions to the

United States.

Whereas approximately 220,000 Catholic sisters have served

in the United States since its founding;

Whereas there are approximately 57,000 Catholic sisters in

the United States today;

Whereas Catholic sisters are women who dedicate their lives

to God by serving God’s people, especially the poor, the

sick, and the marginalized;

Whereas fortified by a deep faith in God and an unwavering

commitment to the common good, American Catholic sisters

were instrumental in building the Catholic Church in300 C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\MWGIESFELDT\APPLICATION DATA\SOFTQUAD\XM

the United States through their ministry to the vulnerable

and the poor;

Whereas individuals trained by Catholic sisters serve as

health care providers in communities across our country;

Whereas Catholic hospitals treat approximately 1 in 6 patients

in the United States;

Whereas Catholic sisters helped establish the nation’s largest

private school system, educating millions of young Americans;

Whereas more than 150 United States colleges and universities

were founded by Catholic sisters;

Whereas since 1980, 9 American sisters have been martyred

while working for social justice and human rights overseas;

Whereas Catholic sisters who have answered Vatican II’s call

to seek ‘‘justice in the world’’ continue this vital mission

today: teaching our children in schools, healing the sick

in hospitals, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless,

administering major institutions, encouraging corporate

responsibility, and advocating for public policies that

honor human dignity; and

Whereas the Leadership Council of Women Religious, NETWORK,

and all the individual congregations of women

religious, make our nation stronger and deserve our deepest

appreciation:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes and commends our nation’s

Catholic sisters, whose inspiring legacy of service

continues to enrich our nation;

(2) honors the contributions of Catholic sisters

to this country; and

(3) stands in solidarity with Catholic sisters’

mission to work toward a more just society for all

of God’s people.

Bridget Mary's Reflection

This wonderful affirmation of Catholic Sisters by 112th Congress is indeed heart-warming and well deserved.  One could also say that the recent investigation of the Vatican and the hostile take-over of LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) has back-fired on the Vatican, and given abundant support to the nuns. This is yet another proof that the nuns prayers and ministry have touched millions and that the Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving. Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp, 

sofiabmm@aol.com

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