The US Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph, of which the Congregation of St. Joseph is a member, has issued the following public statement on the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the current administration’s travel ban:
The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph is extremely disappointed with the June 26, 2018, United States Supreme Court Decision in Trump vs. Hawaii, commonly referred to as the travel ban. The ban restricts travel from seven countries: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. We believe that this travel ban intentionally targets Muslims and that the Court’s decision adds to the climate of fear of Muslims and fuels the flames to anti-Muslim sentiment in the country. The travel ban, aimed primarily at Muslims, contradicts the values and principles of the United States.
As Catholic sisters, our mission is one of unity. We are grounded in a loving relationship with God and neighbor. We live the Gospel values and view each person, regardless of their race, religion, or nation of origin as our dear neighbor, whom we love without distinction.
We join with the Leadership Conference of Woman Religious (LCWR) and other women religious in the belief 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.
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.
Actions You Can Take:
Contact Your Senators and Representatives: Please call (202) 224-3121 three times to be connected with your two Senators and one Representative
Here is some suggested text for your call:
“I’m your constituent from [City, State, Zip Code], and I urge you to OPPOSE the Administration’s travel ban that discriminates against Muslims and to do everything in your power to see that the administration rescind the executive order. [As a person of faith], I stand opposed to actions, either via executive order or legislation, that ban Muslims, refugees or immigrants from entering this country based on where they come from or what faith they practice. The travel ban does not represent the welcoming communities across the United States. I urge Congress to exert oversight and accountability over the administration and ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are used to implement the travel ban targeted toward Muslims. My community welcomes our immigrant, refugee, and Muslim neighbors, and I call on you to do the same.”
The Congregation of St. Joseph is dedicated to love of the dear neighbor, without distinction. We believe that we are all one people, and we work to bring all people together in love of God and one another. Learn more about our immigration efforts here.
