The Consistent Life Ethic of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, US Region, calls us to carry on the legacy of our foundress, St. Maria De Mattias, who believed deeply that Jesus poured forth his lifeblood in love, so that all may have life. Her passion for ‘our dear neighbor,’ is the same passion that now impels each of us of the ASC Family, to be a compassionate and reconciling presence according to the example of Jesus in the Gospels. Our statement reads “IN SERVICE OF LIFE, We Adorers advocate and educate for social policy changes and call for the implementation of the pro-life policies in support of Family Life, Workers’ Life, Human Rights, Vulnerable Life, and Creation.”
As a form of advocacy, our JPIC Office signs on to public letters that are aligned with our values and charism, calling for changes and responses to issues that are important to us. Over the past several months our collective name has been added and given voice in advocacy in the following letters and statements:
► to the G20 finance ministers prior to their meeting in South Africa, called for a response to Pope Francis’s Jubilee call and a demonstration of solidarity with people affected by the global debt crisis
► Investor Statement in Support of Just Immigration Reform, signed by our Region Leadership, called on Congress, corporate leaders, and institutional investors to champion immigration reform that aligns with our country’s founding values and with human rights law
► to committee leadership of Congress urged them to consider the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of all immigrants in the budget reconciliation bill and to reject increasing funding for immigration enforcement and instead turn toward policies that strengthen our communities so that all can thrive
► “Let Laudato Si Guide Public Policy” letter sent to members of Congress and the current Administration asked for restored funding and staffing of the Environmental Protection Agency, restoration of efforts within all of government to address climate change, and to act in the spirit of dialogue that underlies Pope Francis’ teaching “to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”
► to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, letter endorsed the August 1 Congressional initiative led by Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick and Rep. Meeks, calling for urgent U.S. action to halt arms trafficking that is fueling gang violence and a humanitarian crisis in Haiti
► to the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Nihon Hidankyō (the organization of atomic bomb survivors) an apology petition on the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombings and expressed a recommitment to reject nuclear weapons and embrace the life-affirming work of abolishing these weapons of terror
► to Senator McCormick, letter expressed the deep sense of moral urgency concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and requested dialogue to explore ways to partner in promoting life-saving humanitarian action and protection of the dignity of every human life
Adding our name to these public letters and statements is one way that we Adorers “engage in personal, communal and collaborative efforts to be a presence that is inclusive, loving and liberating so that Jesus’ Word will be more fully realized: “that all may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10)