Bending the Arc references a quote by Rev. Dr. King who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This digital newsletter from the CSA Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office showcases the work of changemakers, opportunities to learn, and opportunities for you to help “bend the arc” toward justice. Full contents of the newsletter are published on this page.
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Archives - December 2024
President Biden Commutes “Almost” All Of Federal Death Row
December 30, 2024
President Biden ran on a campaign promise to abolish the federal death penalty. On December 23, following weeks and months of public pressure, and just before Christmas, he commuted 37 of the 40 people on death row. This has caused many mixed feelings. While many are grateful for the progress, others feel he needs to finish the job. Leaving three of what some consider “the worst of the worst,” plus 4 on military death row, still makes killing justify killing.
The organization, Death Penalty Action was started in 2017. They work to stop executions and abolish the death penalty through advocacy, education, and action. They are also strong supporters of death by incarceration, not execution.
Hear Abe Bonowitz, Director of Death Penalty Action, in an NPR interview Christmas morning.
Following President Biden’s commutations, Death Penalty Action offered a powerful press conference.
For the many that work so hard against the death penalty this was a victory, but with the next president coming in with his promise to execute as many as possible, we need President Biden to finish the job before he leaves office. In line with our corporate stance on the death penalty, CSA has signed this organizational sign-on letter to President Biden.
Individually, you can write to President Biden and urge him to:
- Commute the sentences of those remaining on federal and military death rows;
- Deauthorize all pending federal capital trial cases and establish guidelines prohibiting authorization of any new death penalty prosecutions during your administration;
- Rescind the lethal injection protocol; rescind the “Manner of Execution” regulation that took effect in December 2020; rescind internal DOJ guidelines on litigating death row cases that took effect in December 2020
- Order the Federal Bureau of Prisons to demolish the federal execution chamber and the building in which it is housed at the Federal Correctional Institution at Terre Haute
Posted in
Death Penalty & Restorative Justice
CSA Laudato Si' Action Plan: Year Three Final Report
December 20, 2024
The Vatican’s seven-year Laudato Si’ Action Platform calls the worldwide Catholic community and “all men and women of good will” (LS 3) to publicly engage in the work of transformation through integral ecology.
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes and the Associate Community USA publicly commit to the seven-year process of transformation by strategically engaging the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. We invite you and all members of the universal Church to join us and the Vatican on this Laudato Si’ journey.
As we come to the end of the third year of this commitment, the final report with the results of our efforts in 2024 is now available.
Posted in
Cosmology & Creation
UNANIMA International December Newsletter
December 20, 2024
This December, UNANIMA shares news from Italy, Cameroon, Haiti, the 12th Urban Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Egypt, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, and an upcoming event to be held in Qatar.
Posted in
Poor & Vulnerable
12th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence
December 06, 2024
December 14, 2024 is the 12-year mark of the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy and for over a decade, a coalition of gun violence prevention, faith, survivor, and other groups have worked together to honor ALL victims of gun violence in our nation. Once again, people across the country will unite during the month of December to shine a light on the gun violence public health crisis and forge a path to keep our children, families, friends, and neighbors safe.
The 12th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 7pm - 9:30pm ET on Capitol Hill. This national vigil service will anchor the 12th Annual Nationwide Vigils to #EndGunViolence in our communities during the month of December to support the survivors locally across the nation.
Cannot get to D.C.? (me either.) Explore December Vigils and Events in your area or consider hosting your own!
CSA continues to be a sponsor of this nationwide vigil.
Posted in
Peace & Nonviolence
Surplus Water After Meals Replenishes Birdbaths
December 06, 2024
Sister Florence Magnan cleans the birdbath outside Nazareth Court and Center to ensure the wildlife are not harmed by contamination. The water from the pitchers after the meals in the dining room is poured into two one-gallon buckets for houseplants, outdoor geraniums, and birdbaths. The birdbath attracts a diverse bird population. Sister Florence adds, “I continue the practice which Sister Rita Kramer began. Sister Mark Plescher identifies sparrows, cardinals, and mourning doves as frequent visitors of the birdbath.”
What gives you hope as you care for your common home?
Dusty Krikau, Director of Mission Advancement for CSA, shared, “Birds that don’t eat seeds don’t go to feeders, but to birdbaths instead.” Birds, bees, and insects use birdbath water to stay hydrated, especially during a drought. A parking lot is a big, black, dead space, whereas the birdbath is an oasis. Birds are less likely to be attacked by hawks and other birds of prey if the birdbath is under trees, rather than near ponds in open areas.
The wild turkey is a bird that drinks from a birdbath placed directly on the ground.
Click here to read “6 Tips for Feeding Wild Turkeys with Your Garden and Birdbath”.
Building a better future requires “the active participation
of all members of the community.” (LS 144)
Inspired by the call to care for creation and the most vulnerable, we are witnessing a growing global response rooted in faith, justice, and hope.
Pope Francis recently recognized this response in his November 10 Angelus: "Three years ago, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform was launched. I thank those who work in support of this initiative."
This season invites us to reflect on the tender care we bring to creation and to one another, and to renew our commitment to building a just and sustainable future—a commitment that grows with every action we take.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform provides us with the seven goals of Laudato Si’ and additional resources. Want to learn more? Click here
The leaves fall from the trees surrounding the pond near St. Agnes Convent.
Special thank you to: Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator,
Mary Christopherson, Dusty Krikau, & Patricia Bogenschuetz, CSA
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes - https://www.csasisters.org/our-values/creation.cfm
Posted in
Cosmology & Creation
Join JCoR’s Global Community Hour
December 04, 2024
On Friday, December 13 - and every second Friday of the month - JCoR, the Justice Coalition of Religious, offers a global community hour. These monthly online gatherings are for Religious around the world to come together in prayer for our world and to shine a light on the most pressing justice issues emerging in your respective nations and regions.
In recognition of Human Rights Day, the theme for December’s gathering is human rights. Therefore, JCoR is especially inviting individuals to share their experiences in protecting, upholding, and fighting for human rights. As usual, all voice and justice concerns are welcome in this communal space, or simply attend to learn from others.
The time for this is 7:00 am CST. Click here to register. Sisters, Brothers, priests, lay associates, and partners in mission are all welcome!
Posted in
Equity & Human Dignity
Land Management Requires Ecological Conversion
December 02, 2024
Dave Gitter, part of the CSA Maintenance Team, carefully trims and prunes shrubs and bushes by cutting away overgrown and dead branches or stems and by removing debris. The process of pruning allows sunlight and water to reach the roots and improves air circulation for the tree or plant. This results in significantly increased growth and fruitfulness. Pruning decreases the spread of disease or decay and promotes new growth. This works wonderfully in yards.
Our prairie and woodlands, on the other hand, provide food and shelter from snowstorms, promote new growth, and become prime nesting material in the springtime. Pruned material is composted or processed as mulch for natural walkways and woodland paths to live more sustainably and justly with gratitude for creation and ecological conversion.
Source: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/why-you-shouldnt-clean-up-the-fall-garden
Prune bushes. Protect bugs. Provide for birds.
Upper pond at St. Agnes Convent
Pope Francis invites every person to care for our common home.
This call to “ecological conversion” is not only about large-scale policies, but also about integrating sustainability into our daily lives in ways that fit our local context. We can respond in both small and large ways.
Laudato Si’ reminds us that we are all interconnected and share a responsibility to care for creation. Whether you live in a city, a small village, or on a ledge overlooking a lake, there are practical ways to bring the spirit of Laudato Si’ into your daily life. From reducing waste and conserving energy to planting a butterfly garden and pruning shrubs, every step matters. Together, in both small and large ways, each of us can respond to this call to care for our common home. 5 Practical Ways to Live Out Laudato Si'.
Special thank you to: Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator,
Mary Christopherson, Julie Ann Krahl, CSA, & Patricia Bogenschuetz, CSA
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes: https://www.csasisters.org/our-values/creation.cfm
Posted in
Cosmology & Creation