Sisters of the Holy Cross: A timeline of our work for justice and
systemic change
 1979
The Leadership of the Congregation formulates the goal: to encourage work
for social change. A committee is formed (Building a Religious and Human
Society) to move the Congregation in this direction.
1981
Sister Ellen Dolores Lynch is the first Sister of the Holy Cross
missioned to full-time work for structural change.
1984
The Congregation approves a process for taking a “corporate stand”
or a congregational position on social justice issues.
The first “Corporate Stand” is approved. Called
To Be Peacemakers.
The Building a Religious and Human Society Committee designs guidelines
for Civil Disobedience and provides workshops/trainings on nonviolent
civil disobedience.
1985
Formation of a Task Force: Discerning the Call to Nonviolent Civil
Disobedience.
Second Corporate Stand is approved: U.S. Non-Intervention in Central
America.
1986
Congregation divests itself of all investments in corporations that do
business with the pro-apartheid regime in South Africa.
1989
The 20th General Chapter articulates the Congregation’s call to work
with the poor and the powerless in society, especially women. The call to
transform unjust societal structures is re-emphasized.
1991
Congregation Justice Committee is formed to facilitate the
Congregation’s work for justice.
1994
Third Corporate Stand is approved: A Call for Land Reform.A brochure
Basta! Enough! (pdf) describing the
neoliberal economic system, its proponents (the World Bank and
International Monetary Fund) and its effects is published.
1995
Two representatives attend the fourth United Nations Conference on
Women in Beijing, China.
1996
A full-time Congregation Justice Coordinator is hired to work with the
Congregation Justice Committee
“Looking at the Global Economy
Through the Eyes of Women” (pdf) brochure is published.
The Congregation joins and supports movements for global economic
justice: 50 Years Is Enough
and Women’s Eyes
on the World Bank.
The Congregation joins the boycott of products associated with tobacco
companies Philip Morris and R.J.R Reynolds
The Congregation Justice Committee sponsors a week-long seminar
on Global Economics. Presented by Jo Marie Griesgraber of the Center
of Concern.
The Congregation is represented on the board of the newly-formed
Religious Working Group on the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund.
1997
The first issue of a quarterly newsletter, Holy Cross Global
Economic Justice Network (pdf) is published and sent free of charge to
economic activists.
Legislative Advocacy Manual
(pdf) is published. Sisters in the United States
are encouraged to initiate regular contact with elected representatives on
issues of social justice.
The Congregation Justice Committee sponsors a Seminar on Ecology,
presented by Paula Gonzalez, SC, of EarthConnection.
Sister Jeannine Gramick addresses a meeting of the Congregation Justice
Committee on the Civil Rights of Gay and Lesbian Persons.
The Congregation endorses the Jubilee 2000 USA initiative.
1998
“Imagine a world ruled by
corporations...” (pdf) brochure is published, describing the
provisions of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment.
Corporate Stand of the Oppression of Women
in Societal and Religious Structures is approved.
The Congregation Justice Committee co-sponsors a workshop entitled “Can
You Be a Sister of the Holy Cross and a Feminist?”
Brochures from 1994 and 1996 are distributed to women’s religious
congregations in the United States at the National Assembly of the
Leadership Conference on Women Religious.
1999
Congregation Justice Committee goes to Washington, D.C., to meet with
World Bank and IMF representatives. Meetings are also held with
Congressional representatives, and with legislative advocacy staff at the
Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Persons.
Twenty-second General Chapter of the Congregation endorses “Holy
Cross Women Seeking Justice in the New Millennium” Direction
Statement.
Congregation Justice Committee reorganizes its structure to broaden
participation and implement the Chapter Direction Statement.
Sisters of the Holy Cross join Steering Committee of 50 Years is
Enough.
Congregation Justice Office responds to requests from over 60 religious
congregations for information/presentations on global economic/jubilee
issues.
2000
Congregation Justice Committee charged by Congregation Leadership to
work in four distinct issue areas:
- Global Economic Justice
- Ecological Sustainability
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Women’s Human Rights
Sisters of the Holy Cross join with other Holy Cross Congregations to
form the Holy Cross
International Justice Office
Congregation Justice Committee sponsors Jubilee Spirituality Retreat,
facilitated by Marie Dennis, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Peace,
Justice, and the Integrity of Creation.
2001
Educational Emphasis for the Congregation: Global Economic Justice
Sisters of the Holy Cross join Steering Committee of Jubilee USA.
A Brochure titled: Beyond Jubilee: Global
Economic Issues for the New Millennium (pdf) is published.
Debtspeak, a glossary of economic
terms is published and distributed to the Congregation.
Beyond Jubilee brochure
is distributed to all present at the joint LCWR/CMSM National Assembly
in August.
The Congregation responds to the national tragedy of September
11 and the war on terrorism that follows.
2002
Education emphasis for the Congregation: Ecological
Sustainability
Earthfest: A Calendar Celebrating the
Earth Community was published and distributed to the Congregation.
Earth
at Risk (pdf) brochure is published & posted on web site.
The Earth
Charter is endorsed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
2003
Voices & Visions 2003:
A Calendar Celebrating
Human Solidarity is published and distributed to the
Congregation.
2004
The Fifth Corporate Stand is
approved. Corporate
Stand on Water as a Human Right and Public Trust.
Solidarity
(pdf) brochure is published & posted on web site.
Twenty-Third General Chapter
endorses Chapter Direction: Holy
Cross Women Creating and Strengthening Right Relationships.
2005
Congregation Justice Committee adopts the Earth
Charter as the framework for its issue-based work.
Congregation Justice Office and
Holy Cross International Justice Office co-sponsor two major events:
- Two week Justice Internship for CSC novices (January 2005)
- JusticeCraft (June 2005)
Congregation Justice Office and
Holy Cross International Justice Office initiate Holy
Cross Action Center for legislative advocacy.
2006
Nonviolence: Another Path (pdf) brochure is published & posted on
web site.
The Sixth Corporate Stand is
approved. Corporate
Stand on Nonviolence.
2007
Congregation Justice Committee hosts the Cosmic Walk Art Exhibit;
the universe story told in 31 hand-embroidered panels, beautifully
crafted by the women of Kopanang.
Congregation Justice Office and
Holy Cross International Justice Office co-sponsor JusticeCraft, June 3-10.
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