In solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Woman Religious, the Sisters of Charity of New York are deeply troubled by the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of President Donald J. Trump v. State of Hawaii that challenged the legality of the Trump Administration’s third attempt at a Muslim ban. The court’s flawed ruling adds to the climate of fear and anti-Muslim sentiment in this country and threatens the values upon which our national community is built.
As women of faith, as Catholic sisters, we believe that all people are created in God’s image, all are worthy of respect, and all are entitled to the protection of their human rights and religious liberty. We strongly object to President Trump’s continued attempts to use his authority to create policy by fiat, particularly when that policy is used to deny access to our Muslim sisters and brothers because of their religion. Such discrimination violates our deeply held faith beliefs and is inimical to the principles upon which this nation was founded. Sister Jane Iannucelli, SC, President of the Sisters of Charity said, “This Muslim travel ban is consistent with the immoral attitude that separated children from parents. As women of faith, as Americans, we are obligated to raise our voices against this unjust treatment of those who are different.”
LCWR joined other faith-based groups in filing amicus briefs in this case challenging the government-imposed anti-Muslim discrimination. When religious-based discrimination is permitted, especially when sanctioned by those at the highest levels of government, the free-exercise of religion by members of all faiths is threatened.
We will stand with the Muslim community and all who are subjected to the deeply troubling discriminatory policies of this administration. We call on Congress to exercise its power to challenge the President’s offensive and dangerous policy and ensure that the rights guaranteed by the Constitution are upheld.
I, too, stand with you and all others in condemning the recent Supreme Court’s decision banning Muslims. This immoral action is consistent with the immoral policy by the Trump administration to separate children from parents — a barbaric act. At this moment, our Democracy is at stake. We must all act and speak boldly to resist authoritarian dictatorship.
As Bette Davis so aptly put it……..”Buckle up, girls! It’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Thank you for this statement and thank you for all of us who are standing with and speaking up for our Muslim sisters and brothers. Want to thank in a special way the Interfaith Center of New York who helps many groups network in interfaith efforts and initiatives that promote peace and justice in many varied ways. PJIC Office is enriched because of them. They have done a lot to address islamophobia. Also want to thank the very special young Muslim women I met at the Turkish Cultural Cener in Queens In April where I was privileged to be part of an interfaith panel of women. Their stories of why they had to leave their homes are still vivid in my mind. Their joy and warmth shone through the pain and grieving they still experience because of what they and their families have experienced. I am a much better person for having known them. May we all learn to listen to and to share the stories of those who come to the USA fleeing violence, war, and other threatening situations.