Let Freedom Ring

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Province of U.S.A. & CANADA

 Corporate Statement

Regarding the Death of George Floyd

We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, Province of the United States and Canada , add our voices to those pleading for an end to the cruel and unjust behavior that took the life of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

Our nation, founded upon the principles of Liberty and Justice for all peoples, has run aground of an illness more devastating than any virus. We witness once again the scourge of Hate and Systemic Racism.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of those who pledge to protect and

defend our rights and liberties, is a travesty of justice calling each of us to speak out in defense of those most vulnerable.  All human life is sacred. We are not the arbiters of those who decide who is worthy of life and justice and who is not.

Our coronavirus statistics point out the discrepancy between the statistics recorded among the black and minority communities and the white population. We know the inequalities and disparity that exists between opportunities offered to minorities. We have famous words written in our history books talking of the dangers inherent in our very democratic fabric , “we live in the time when our great Nation is testing the fabric of what will endure.” We need each other for the very life of the Nation to endure.

Surely this pandemic has taught us this much at least. We cannot shut the door and close the blinds and wait for the greatness of America to reappear like a new Disneyland to soothe us. Our health, economic and justice systems have failed.  We have to change! Our systems have to change!

Those who are believers pray, but that is not enough. All must Act!

Do those we call neighbors and do friends know how we really feel?

Are we willing to change the way we think?

Do we dare to express the real fear and helplessness we experience at being unable to change the way things are?

This moment calls all of us to act.  We are not helpless! As long as there is life there is the possibility of change for the better. We must challenge ourselves. We can pray, we can protest peacefully, we can write letters, make phone calls, we can VOTE!

Public figures, ask our spiritual and religious guides for counsel and support,

for real national, state and local leadership.

We can redirect our fears and negativity into ways in which we get to know the “stranger” better AND discover we are not so different.

We can all call upon our local law enforcement to make those changes that are needed so that our protectors will be seen and appreciated as the guardians they pledge themselves to be. 

Most of all, we can be A People who are truly called to love one another and be brothers and sisters on this earth.