‘Stop the violence’

ADRIAN — The Adrian Dominican Sisters, as members of the Dominican Sisters Conference, whole-heartedly endorse the following statement.

The Dominican Sisters Conference (which unites 19 congregations of Dominican Sisters in the U.S.) joins its voice with all who stand against the violence brought on the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community in Orlando, Fla. We say unequivocally that violence against any group is reprehensible and a crime against all people.

It is our firm belief that all are created in God’s image, and deserving of safety, respect, freedom and opportunity to live free of threat. The Gospel calls each of us to extend ourselves to others in a spirit of love, mercy and faith. Pope Francis reminds us, “The love of God is not generic. God looks with love upon every man and woman, calling them by name.”

The recent murder and injury of LGBTQ people in Orlando shattered the lives of many individuals and families. As a result of prejudice and bigotry, people suffered injury and death simply because they identify with the LGBTQ community. It was a tragic moment for our human community and a brutal hate crime.

We, the Dominican Sisters, oppose the use of violence and any expression of bigotry and prejudice directed at a specific group of people. We call for an end to the targeting of anyone because of race, gender, faith, ethnicity and/or sexual orientation.

We extend our love and support to all those affected by this heinous hate crime. We stand with the LGBTQ community during this time of shocking reality and join our voices with all people of good will throughout the world in the call to stop the violence.

“The true strength of the Christian is the power of truth and love, which leads to the renunciation of all violence. Faith and violence are incompatible.” — Pope Francis

The Dominican Sisters of Adrian are a Congregation of about 700 vowed women religious whose roots go back to St. Dominic in the 13th century. The Sisters minister in 26 states; the District of Columbia; and in five other nations: Canada, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Norway and the Philippines. The Sisters and more than 200 Associates are organized into seven regional Mission Chapters, each under the leadership of a Chapter Prioress.