Statement from the Congregational Leadership Team

On January 6, 2021, the world witnessed a horrific and desperate attack on our United States democracy and the marring of the reputation of a country known for its peaceful demonstrations and graceful transfer of power, in spite of the diversity of our political opinions.  Instead, the world observed protestors, incited by allegations of rigged elections.  The world witnessed a threat to the many people who work in and around the Capital, a threat to the democracy of the United States, a threat to our national unity and a threat to our future as a people.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, President of the Australian Bishops’ Conference tweeted: “I didn’t realize just how much the integrity of and respect for the democratic institutions of the United States matters to the rest of the world until this pandemonium erupted in Washington, D.C.  From the other side of the world, I find myself shaken and unbelieving.”  Similar statements came from other parts of the world:  Italy, England, and Spain.  From the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Romanian Orthodox Father Ioan Sauca, issued a statement saying “The divisive populist politics of recent years have unleashed forces that threaten the foundation of the United States and, to that extent, it represents an example to other countries in the wider world. These developments have implications far beyond domestic American politics and are of serious international concern.”  

We have much to pray about.  Join us in giving witness to the power of our charism.  We, an international Congregation of Sisters of Divine Providence, give witness to the Providence of God.  We are committed to make God’s Providence more visible in our world.  We look to our Founder, Bishop William Emmanuel von Ketteler, as a model of concern for the people he served in both church and state, and as a defender of social justice.  Mother Marie’s remarkable example, during her seven years as a Catholic and three years as a vowed religious, was an example of complete trust in the Providence of God.  

The Congregational Leadership Team of the Sisters of Divine Providence wants to share with you the following message received from the LCWR.  They call us to join our hearts and minds with people of good will in praying for peace, in support of those seeking to repair our U.S. democracy and in gratitude to those who are speaking out and taking action to address the grave threat to our country, which was so evident in Washington DC on Wednesday.  The insurrection posed a grave threat to our nation and endangered the members of Congress and the law enforcement groups who worked to deal with the dangerous, unfolding events.  We abhor the attempt at mob rule, the violence and lawlessness, and the blatant disregard for the U.S. Constitution and the laws of our nation. 

We share the following statement (January 7, 2021) from LCWR, the Conference of Women Religious, to which we belong:

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the Conference of Religious to which we belong, joins with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness yesterday in our nation’s capital. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy.  Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us.  We commend and thank the members of Congress who courageously continued their service to the nation last night even amid the chaos.

In our increasingly divided nation, we renew our commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union.  We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.