Letter to President Barack Obama from Leaders of U.S. Congregations of Catholic Sisters September 21, 2015 Dear Mr. President, As the elected leaders of U.S. congregations of women religious, representing thousands of Catholic Sisters throughout the United States, we take the occasion of the state visit by Pope Francis to add our words of concern, as U.S. citizens, to those he expressed to the global community in his encyclical, Laudato Si – along with an urgent call for action. We believe with Pope Francis that all nations have “a clear, definitive, and ineluctable ethical imperative to act” on climate change. None more so than the United States as we, historically, have been the world’s largest carbon polluter. As women religious who have dedicated our lives to working on the frontlines of many of the social and environmental issues of our day, we daily “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” We know at first hand that “we are not faced with two separate issues one environmental and the other social, but rather one complex crisis” that requires exceptional global leadership and a profound concern for the common good of the whole community of life to resolve. Time is running out. As scientists have been warning, we risk irreversible impacts globally if we fail to take real and meaningful action now. We thank you for the recent steps your Administration has taken through the Environmental Protection Agency to cut carbon emissions by U.S. power plants. We now urge that you do everything in your power to ensure the U.N. talks on climate change this December take the world off the catastrophic course that humanity is charting, which threatens to devastate God’s creation and rob future generations of life. We respectfully ask that you charge our U.S. representatives at the Conference of the Parties in Paris with the task of helping to negotiate a binding legal agreement among all nations that will keep global average temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels. Thank you. In the abiding Spirit of our Creator, U.S. Catholic Sisters (signatures attached) cc: Todd D. Stern, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Congregational Leader Evelyn Eckhardt, DW Mary Patricia Driscoll, CCVI Jeanne Comze,ois, SSJ-TOSF Dolores Kalina, RGS Carole Griswold, HM Mary Pat Cook, HM Sister Ellen Carney, IHM Zenaida Nacpil, O.P. Sr. Kathleen Hutsko, SSMI Sister Susan Francois, CSJP Sister Paul Marie Gouthro, S.A. Angela Homoki-Szabo, S.S.S. Sharon Brannen, FdCC Mary Bea Snyder, CHM Ellen Taylor, FdCC Kristin Funari, CSJP Sheila Lemieux, CSJP Margaret Shannon, CSJP Natalie Rossi, RSM Angela Golapi Palma CSC, AGP Lenore N. Dowling, IHM Anna Marie Reha, SSND Pat Prinzing, RSM Sheila Stevenson, RSM Margaret Magee, OSF Susan Cunningham, CSJ Marilyn Jean Hagedorn, CHM Mary Rose Bumpus, RSM Eva Bryan, RSC Mary Cecile Gunelson, CPPS Frances Raia, CPPS Sister Rose Marie Tresp, RSM Sr. Lucy Meissen, CPPS Title Member of Leadership Team Council Member in Leadership Vice President Councilor Treasurer of the Congregation LeadershipTeam Councilor for Temporal Resources Mission Chapter Prioress Provincial Superior Leadership Team member 2nd Councilor US District Moderator Provincial Councilor Cabinet Member Provincial Leader Assistant Congregation Leader Congregation Leader Congregation Council Leadership Councilor Councilor Board member Provincial Councilor Vice President Councilor Assoc Congregational Minister Provincial CHM Cabinet Member Leadership Team Member Councilor Counsel Member Superior General Director of Justice General Council Name of Congregation Daughters of Wisdom Srs of Charity of Incarnate Word Srs of St. Joseph, Third Ord St. Francis Sisters of the Good Shepherd Sisters of the Humility of Mary Sisters of the Humility of Mary Sisters, Servants of IHM Adrian Dominican Sisters Sisters Servants of Mary Immac Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement Sisters of Social Service of Buffalo Canossian Daughters of Charity Congregation of the Humility of Mary Daughters of Charity of Canossa Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Sisters of Mercy NyPPaW Sisters of the Holy Cross Immaculate Heart Community School Sisters of Notre Dame Sisters of Mercy - NyPPa W Sisters of Mercy - NyPPaW Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery Cong of the Humility of Mary Srs of Mercy South Central Community Religious Sisters of Charity Sisters of the Most Precious Blood Sisters of the Most Precious Blood Srs of Mercy South Central Community Srs of Most Precious Blood City/State Ozone Park, New York Houston, Texas Rice Lake, Wisconsin Ft. Thomas, Kentucky Villa Maria,, Pennsylvania Villa Maria, Pennsylvania Scranton, Pennsylvania Adrian, Michigan Sloatsburg, New York Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Garrison, New York Buffalo, New York Albuquerque, New Mexico Davenport, Iowa Albuquerque, New Mexico Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Buffalo, New York Notre DAme, Indiana Los Angeles, California St. Louis, Missouri Buffalo, New York Buffalo, New York Allegany, New York West Hartford, Connecticut Davenport, Iowa Belmont, North Carolina San Pedro, California O'Fallon, Missouri O'Fallon, Missouri Belmont, North Carolina O'Fallon, Missouri Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Leadership Team, CSSF Brenda Cousins, CSC gabriela martinez, SSMN Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC Veronique Wiedower, CSC Therese Demers, O.P. Susan Sanders, RSM Barbara Blesse, OP Anne Myers, SSJ Margaret Mary Hinz, RSM Sister Gertrude O'Connor, O.S.F. Maureen O'Connor, OSF Barbara Hudock, ASC Maureen Erdlen, SSJ Ellen Maroney, IHM Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP Sister Patricia Gardner, OSF Patricia Lowery, MMS, MD Bernadette Morgan, RSC Maria Hughes, ASC Janet McCann, ASC Sr. Kathleen Bryant, RSC Maureen Foltz, CCV Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, M.S.C. Mary Byrnes, PBVM Lucy Panettieri, MSC Sheila Walsh, RSM Jean Marie Zirnheld, SSJ Mary Alice Aschenbach, CIJ Valerie Heinonen, OSU Louise Alff, Louise Alff Elizabeth DiTolla, SU Mary Doyle, CSJ Joan Anzalone, RCD Leadership General Secretary Provincial First Councilor President Provincial Prioress Leadership Team Member Vicaress Congregational President Leadership Team Member Provincial Vicaress Provincial Superior Region Leader General Council President Councilor Councilor/Treasurer Coordinator for Health Regional Leader Regional Councilor United States Region Councilor Regional Vicar U.S. Regional Coordinator Provincial Superior Councilor Provincial Councl Council Member President Executive Board Member Team Member General Councilor Regional Councilor Regional Superior Vice-President Felician Sisters of North America Sisters of the Holy Cross Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Cong of the Sisters of the Holy Cross Sisters of the Holy Cross Dominican Srs of the Roman Cong Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Dominicans of Springfield Sisters of Saint Joseph Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Hosp. Srs of Third Order of St. Francis Hospital Sisters of St Francis Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sisters of St. Joseph Sisters of IHM, Scranton Dominican Sisters of Springfield Sisters of St. Francis Medical Mission Sisters Religious Sisters of Charity Adores of the Blood of Christ Adorers of the Blood of Christ Religious Sisters of Charity Carmelite Sisters, Vedruna Miss Srs of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Srs of Presentation of the BVM Miss Srs of the Sacred a Heart of Jesus Sisters of Mercy Sisters of St. Joseph Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor Inc. Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk Srs of St. Francis of Neumann Comm Sisters of St. Ursula Sisters of Saint Joseph Sisters Of Christian Doctrine Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Notre DAme, Indiana Fort Worth, Texas Notre Dame, Indiana Notre Dame, Indiana Lewiston, Maine Omaha, Nebraska Springfield, Illinois Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Omaha, Nebraska Springfield, Illinois Springfield , Illinois St Louis, Missouri Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Scranton, Pennsylvania Speingfield, Illinois Sylvania, Ohio Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Culver City, California St Louis, Missouri Saint Louis, Missouri Culver City, California Washington, DC New York, New York New Windsor, New York West Park, New ayork Buffalo, New York Clarence, New York Rockville Centre, New York New York, New York Syracuse, New York Rhinebeck, New York Brentwood, New York New York, New York Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Katherine Marie Bogner, SSMN Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, SSJ Catherine Artale, C.I.J. Margaret Bishop, OSF Peggy McVetty, OP Barbara Marie Cady, SU Honora Nicholson, RSM Nancy Zelma, OSF Veronica Mendez, RCD Susan Bremer, OSU Roberta Smith, OSF Antoinette Gutzler, MM Maureen McGowan, RGS S. Josita DiVita, FDC Marilyn Pray, SSJ Geraldine Ching, OSF Maureen Steeley, SU Marylin Gramas, S.U. Sr. Barbara King, PBVM Rosalyn Menard, R.G.S. Rosemary Riggie, SSMN Mary Ann Mayer, SSJ Mary Jane Deodati, RDC Martha Otterstedt, PBVM Judith O'Connor, OSU Eileen Gannon, OP Catherine Talia, OSU Mary Ann Buckley, SHCJ Sr. Sheila Walsh, RSM Edith Wyss, OSF Antoinette DeAveiro, OP Judith Carroll, SSMN Provncial Councillor Major Superior Councilor Leadership Team Member Councilor for Mission Regional Superior Leadership Team Member Provincial Councilor President Councilor General Minister Congregation President Member of the Leadership Team 1st Provincial Councilor Congregational Vice President Assistant General Minister Regional Councilor Regional council member Councilor Acting Province Leader Provincial Counselor Councilor Leadership Team Vice-President Councillor Leadership Team Province Leader Province Leader Council Member Provincial Minister Councilor for Charism Provincial superior Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation of the Infant Jesus Sisters of St. Francis Dominican Srs. of Amityville, NY Sisters of St. Ursula Sistrs of Mercy Srs of St. Francis of Penance Srs of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Srs of St. Francis Neumann Comm Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Sisters of the Good Shepherd Daughters of Divine Charity Sisters of St. Jospeh of Rochester Srs of St. Francis of Neumann Comm Sisters of St. Ursula Sisters of St Ursula Srs of the Presentation of BVM Sisters of the Good Shepherd Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester Sisters of the Divine Compassion Sisters of Presentation of BVM Ursuline Sisters, Cong of Tildonk Dominican Sparkill Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk Society of the Holy Child of Jesus Sisters of Mercy Srs of St. Francis of Penance Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville Sisters of St Mary of Namur Buffalo, New York Watertown, New York Rockville Center , New York Tiffin, Ohio Amityville , New York Rhinebeck, New York Merion Station, Pennsylvania Buffalo, New York New York, New York Pepper Pike, Ohio Syracuse, New York Maryknoll, New York Brooklyn, New York Staten Island, New York Rochester, New York Honolulu, Hawaii Rhinebeck, New York New York, New York Yonkers, New York Astoria, New York Buffalo, New York Rochester, New York Bronx, New York New Windsor, New York Jamaica, New York Sparkill, New York Jamaica, New York Rosemont, Pennsylvania Buffalo, New York Stella Niagara, New York Amityville, New York Buffalo, New York Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Evelyn Lamoureux, DW Patricia Anastasio, PBVM Maryanne Ruzzo, SC Roberta Kerins, SC Connie Kelly, OP Catherine Patten, RSHM Mary L. Hoevel, SND Jane M Reilly, CSJ Helen Kearney, CSJ Honora Nicholson, RSM Patricia Smith, RSM Margaret Bishop, OSF Judith Desmarais, SP Catherine Darcy, RSM Patricia Vetrano, RSM Clare Arenholz, RDC Carol Wagner, RDC Diane Gerdeman, SND Sr. Greta Jupiter, SSF Sandra Jean Sherman, OSU Therese Demers, O.P. Gemma Doll, OP Susan Durkin, OSU Therese Leckert, O.P. Mary Caroline Marchal, SC Linda White, SND Sister Mary Ann Caulfield, OP Carolyn Wolfbauer, OP Monique Belanger, OP Marguerite Warren, OP Consuelo Barrera, OP Alice Armata, OP Susan A Snyder, OP Mary Raymund Johnson, SND Vicar President Congregation Councillor Congregational Councilor Councilor Provincial, Eastern US Province Pastoral Leader Councillor President Leadership Team Leadership Team Member Leadership Team Member Provincial Leader Leadership Team Member President Assistant President Delores Gatliff Congregational Leader President Provincial Councilor President General Councilor Executive Council Local Superior of Motherhouse Chapter Prioress Treasurer Provincial Councilor Councilor for Wellness Vicaress Councilor Prioress Local Treasurer Daughters of Wisdom Srs of the Presentation of the BVM Sisters of Charity, Halifax Sisters of Charity Dominican Sisters of Hope Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sisters of Notre Dame Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood Sisters of Saint Joseph Sisters of Mercy Sisters of Mercy Sisters of St. Francis Sisters of Providence Srs of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community Srs of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community Religious of the Divine Compassion Sisters of the Divine Compassion Sisters of Notre Dame Sisters of the Holy Family Ursulines Sisters of the Sacred Heart Dominican Srs of Roman Congregation Dominican Sisters of Peace Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Dominican Sisters of Peace Sisters of Charity Sisters of Notre Dame Adrian Dominican Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Dominican Srs of the Roman Cong Amityville Dominicans Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Sisters of Notre Dame Oceanside, New York New Wondsor, New York Wollaston, Massachussetts New Hyde Park, New York Ossining, New York Tarrytown, New York Cleveland, Ohio Brentwood, New York Brentwood, New York Merion Station, Pennsylvania Merion Station, Pennsylvania Tiffin, Ohio Renton, Washington Merion, Pennsylvania Merion, Pennsylvania White Plains, New York White Plains, New York Toledo, Ohio New Orleans, Louisiana Toledo, Ohio Lewiston, Maine Columbus , Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Toledo, Ohio West Palm Beach, Florida Sparkill, New York Lewiston, Maine Amityville, New York Saratoga, California Saratoga, California Saratoga, California Toledo, Ohio Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Antoinette DeAveiro, OP Mary Patricia Neylon, OP Paulena Williams, SND Maxine Young, SND Corinne Sanders, OP Kathleen Gallagher, OP Ann Marie Lustig, OP Antoinette-Kitty Carter, O.P. Peggy McVetty, OP Eileen Ivory, OP Numeriana Mojado, MM Gloria Jones, OP Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Antoinette Gutzler, MM Sharon Casey, OP Julie Greig, O.P. Patrice Werner, O.P. Julie Schwab, OP Patricia Koehler, OP Maureen O'Connell, SL Patricia Kremer, C.PP.S. Mary Boesen, SL Sean Fox, OSM Susan Sandes, RSM Margaret Verhoff, C.D.P. Pearl McGivney, S.L. Nelda Chafitelli, OSU Carol Lichtenberg, SNDdeN Carol Gregory, SND Marian Durkin, CSA Cecilia Taphorn, C.PP.S Claudia Holtz, OSU Phyllis Kemper, OSU Nancy Kinross, CPPS Councilor for Charism Prioress Teacher Palliative Care Chaplain General Councilor Councilor Vice-President Vicaress Councilor for Mission Councilor Vice-President Congregational Prioress Prioress General Congregation President Presdient Councilor Prioress Leadership Team Councilor for Stewardship/Treas. Executive Committee Councilor Executive Committee Leadership Team Member Team Member Provincial Councilor President Leadershi;p Team Provincial Moderator Provincial Leadership Councilor Vice-President/Councilor Council Member Congregational Minister Councilor Amityville Dominican Sisters of st. Dominic Sisters of Notre Dame Sisters of Notre Dame Adrian Dominican Sisters Dominican Sisters of Springfield Dominican Sisters of Tacoma Dominican Sisters of Houston Srs. of St.Dominic Dominican Sisters Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Dominican Sisters Dominican Sisters of Houston Sisters of St. Dominic Sinsinawa Dominicans Amityville Dominicans Loretto Community Sisters of the Precious Blood Sisters of Loretto Servants of Mary Srs of Mercy West Midwest Community Congregeation of Divine Providence Sisters of Loretto Ursuline Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Sisters Of Notre dame Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Sisters of the Precious Blood Ursuline Convent of the Sacred Heart Ursulines of Brown County Sisters of the Precious Blood Amityville, New York Amityville, New York Toledo, Ohio Tol;edo, Ohio Adrian, Michigan Springfield, Illinois Tacoma, Washington Houston, Texas Amityville, New York Caldwell, New Jersey Maryknoll, New York Fremont, California Springfield, Illinois Maryknoll, New York Tacoma, Washington Houston, Texas Caldwell, NJ Sinsinawa, Wisconsin Amityville , New York Jacksboro, TN Dayton, Ohio El Paso, Texas Naperville, Illinois Omaha, Nebraska Melbourne, Kentucky Denver, Colorado Toledo, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Richfield, , Ohio Dayton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio St. Martin, Ohio Dayton, Ohio Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Delores Gatliff, SND Sandra Delgado, O.P. Margaret Efkeman, OSU Sr. Janet M. Peterworth, OSU Mary Ann Barrett, OP Kathleen Slesar, OP Lisa Stallings, S.P. Sr. Karen Shirilla, SJ Maureen Geary, OP Mary Beth Gianoli, OSF Anne Stedman Stedman, OSB Sister Helen Zecha, OSB Jan Ginzkey, OSB Rita Ann Teichman, CSJ Beatrice Marie Haines, OLVM Marlene Minnaert, OSB Maureen Irvin, OSF Judith Diltz, PhD, PHJC Linda Sevcik, SM Patricia McCluskey, IHM Dawn Tomaszewski, SP Jeneen Howard, SP S.Mary Anne Owens, SSND Mary Jane Herb, IHM Helen Elsbernd, F.S.P.A. Donna Koch, OSF Anna Marie Reha, SSND Sr. Diane Cauley, CSJ Sharon Costello, CSJ Marlene Schwinghammer, OSB Marilyn Geiger, OSF Mary Beth Klingel, SP Karen Kappell, FSPA Christine Mihelcic, SJ Provincial Superior Sisters of Notre Dame Vicaress Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids General Minister Ursulines of Cincinnati President Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Councilor Dominican Sisters ~Grand Rapids Vice-President Racine Dominicans Vicar/General Councilor Sisters of Providence Secretary Servants of Jesus Prioress Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Leadership Team Sisters of St. Francis Formation Director Benet Hill Monastery Administration Benet Hill Monastery Assistant Prioress Benet Hill Monastery Congregational Leadership Team Congregation of St. Joseph President Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Prioress Mother of God Monastery Congregational Minister Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg Provincial Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Regional Leader Marist Sisters Mission Councilor, IHM Leadership Team Srs, Serv of Immaculate Heart of Mary General Councilor Sisters of Providence General Councilor Sisters of Providence Provincial Leader School Sisters of Notre Dame President Sisters, Servants of the IHM Vice President Franciscan Srs of Perpetual Adoration Community President Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross Provincial Councilor School Sisters of Notre Dame Member of Leadership Team Sisters of St. Joseph Leadership Team Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden Subprioress Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict Cogregational Minister Sisters of St. Francis General Councilor Sisters of Providence Mission Councilor Franciscan Srs of Perpetual Adoration Leadership Team Member Servants of Jesus Toledo, Ohio Grand Rapids, Michigan Cincinnati, Ohio Louisville, Kentucky Grand Rapids, Michigan Racine , Wisconsin St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana Dearborn Heights, Michigan Grand Rapids, Michigan Oldenburg, Indiana Colorado springs, Colorado Colorado Springs , Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Kalamazoo, Michigan Huntington, Indiana Watertown, South Dakota Oldenburg, Indiana Donaldson, Indiana Roseville, Michigan Monroe, Michigan St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana St Mary of the Woods, Indiana St. Louis, Missouri Monroe, Michigan La Crosse, Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin St. Louis, Missouri Baden, Pennsylvania Baden, Pennsylvania St. Joseph, Minnesota Rochester, Minnesota St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana La Crosse, Wisconsin Farmington, Michigan Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama Mary Pellegrino, CSJ Rosemary Abramovich, OP Sharon Holland, IHM Suzanne Brennan, CSC Attracta Kelly, OP Tarianne DeYonker, OP Theresa Sandok, OSM Maryann McMahon, OP Agnes Johnson, OP Joy O'Grady, CSC Marjorie White, SSJ-TOSF Ginger Downey, OLVM Mary Herrmann, SSJ Catherine Sheehan, DW Congregational Moderator General Councilor Vice President General Treasurer Prioress Vicaress / General Councilor President President Vice President Coordinator for North America President General Secretary President Provincial Leader Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden Adrian Dominican Sisters Srs, Serv of the Immac Heart of Mary Sisters of the Holy Cross Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian Dominican Sisters Ladysmith Servite Sisters Sisters of St. Dominic Racine Dominicans Sisters of the Holy Cross Srs of St. Joseph, Third Ord St. Francis Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA Daughters of Wisdom Baden, Pennsylvania Adrian, Michigan Monroe, Michigan Notre Dame, Indiana Adrian , Michigan Adrian, Michigan Greenfield, Wisconsin Racine, Wisconsin Racine, Wisconsin Notre Dame, Indiana Fort Wayne, Indiana Huntington, Indiana Erie, Pennsylvania Islip, New York
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