Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary U.S.-Ontario Province Statement on the Dignity of the Human Person
The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary U.S.-Ontario Province are relieved that the livestream of Nidal Hasan’s execution by firing squad has been canceled, however, this does not change our fundamental and unwavering opposition to the death penalty. We believe that every human life has inherent dignity and worth, and that justice must uphold these principles rather than take another life.
We join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) in resisting violence in every form, including the death penalty.
We affirm LCWR’s recent statement on the Dignity of Human Life and Nonviolence that “We are called to stand against violence in all its forms and to proclaim the urgent necessity of nonviolence in both word and action. This commitment challenges us to examine how violence is practiced, witnessed, and sometimes normalized in our society.”
We hold deep compassion for all those affected by violence, while remaining steadfast in our conviction that every human life is sacred, precious and deserving of dignity. As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, “The dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed.”
May we continue to meet suffering with compassion, respond to violence with a commitment to justice and peace, and maintain a deep respect for the sacredness of human life.
Read LCWR’s full statement here.
Read the USCCB President’s statement here.
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
U.S.-Ontario Province Leaders,
Maureen Delaney, SNJM
Diane Enos, SNJM
Carol Higgins, SNJM
Marcia Frideger, SNJM
Connie Harrington, SNJM
Daleen Larkin, SNJM
Linda Patrick, SNJM
Mary Slater, SNJM