HM Corporate Witness Statements

Corporate Witness Statement on Haiti

Helping in Haiti

In the spirit of humility, we commit ourselves to take action in solidarity with women, children, and people who are marginalized and disenfranchised, and to seek non-violence in all our relationships.

In a special way we pledge ourselves to connect with the people of Haiti. In order to do this we call upon ourselves to expand and deepen our knowledge and understanding of

  • Human rights abuses, the effects of global poverty, and the imbalance of power in our world,
  • The effects of racism, classism, and ethnocentrism as they impact our relationships with the larger Earth community.

In the spirit of humility, we commit ourselves to honor the sanctity of all human persons and to reverence the giftedness of the people of Haiti, their culture, and struggles when we

  • Deepen our connections with the Haitian people through listening as they express their experiences and needs
  • Reflect on their truth and pray to be open to both a personal and a global transformation

In the spirit of humility, we commit ourselves to be informed in an attempt to understand the experiences of Haitians in the global context when we

  • Continue relationships with people in Haiti and in the United States in order to keep the lines of communication open about the ongoing and immediate needs in Haiti.
  • Foster partnerships based on mutual care and concern in order to seek ways to work towards a common cause with the Haitian community and advocates in the United States.
  • Advocate for human rights for and with the people of Haiti and for and with immigrants in the United States.

Approved by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary – 1991; revised: 2005

Corporate Witness Statement on Central America

corpwitcenamer

We Sisters of the Humility of Mary stand in solidarity with the people of Central America and in commitment to the mission of Jesus who “came that people may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

We support the right of the people of Central America to self-determination. We oppose all military, political or economic intervention which is incongruent with the principle of self-determination.

We call upon our government to:

  • Stop the flow of military aid to the region
  • Stop the use of Central American forces to achieve U.S. policy objectives
  • Resolve matters of U.S. interest through negotiations rather than force
  • Secure the right of asylum in the United States for Central American refugees fleeing the violence and repression in their homelands

We call upon ourselves and involved citizen groups to influence the business sector involved in Central America to develop just economic structures compatible with Central American countries’ right to self-determination.

We invite people of good will to join with us in supporting a just foreign policy for Central America which incorporates the same human rights provided to U.S. Citizens.

Corporate Witness Statement, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Villa Maria Community Center, Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, June 1988

Corporate Witness Statement on Women

corpwitwomen

Impelled by our participation in the mission of Christ to bring more abundant life for all, we, the Sisters and Associates of the Humility of Mary, commit our personal and collective voice, energy and resources to bring about the emergence of all women as equal partners in a world in dire need of women’s gifts.

Throughout history, women have been bound, restricted, silenced, burdened, violated. In the face of this suffering and injustice we cannot be silent.

Women, in order to survive, in order to be well and safe, in order to use their gifts for creation, must:

  • Be safe from all forms of abuse
  • Be partners in relationships, decisions and policy-making

Have access to:

  • Health care and supportive services
  • Education
  • Economic independence and equity
  • Roles of leadership in church and society
  • Be free from all systems that perpetuate oppression, exploitation or discrimination.

We support the transformation of society toward equality, partnership and community by our commitment to continued action through our ministry.

Corporate Witness Statement, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Villa Maria Community Center, Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, January 1996