Dominican
Sisters of Hope Adopt Resolution in Support of Human Rights, Advocate
Against Trafficking
OSSINING, NY -- December 3, 2007 -- The Dominican Sisters of Hope
have adopted the following resolution:
We, Dominican Sisters of Hope and Associates, adopt the
resolution in support of human rights by opposing the trafficking
of all persons, especially women and children, for the purpose
of sexual exploitation and forced labor.
Dominican Sisters of Hope choose at times to respond publicly
to global concerns by taking a corporate stance. The issues are
determined by the social teachings of the Church. The corporate
stance is a statement of principle – the result of prayer,
research, reflection, and discussion with possible means of implementation.
Dominicans across the country have been called
to challenge the systems that dominate and oppress our world and
to preach truth that liberates all. The National Dominican Stop
Trafficking Committee has distributed facts and encouraged the
viewing of documentaries on the issue. The Dominican Sisters of
Hope leadership joined the New York Religious
Congregations against Trafficking early in 2007. At the Dominican Sisters
of Hope Assembly in July 2007, 97 sisters and associates signed
letters to CEOs regarding “A Code of Conduct” with
respect to human trafficking.
Sister Patricia Jelly, OP, Justice Promoter for the Dominican
Sisters of Hope, said: “We are becoming more and more aware
of the number of trafficked persons in our area. We are committed
to doing everything we can to further awareness of the issue and
to enable victims to get the services they need. It is essential
that human trafficking gets prosecuted.”
Implementation of the corporate stance by the Dominican Sisters
of Hope includes: a commitment to prayer for an end to the grave
injustice of trafficking of persons for the purposes of sexual
exploitation and forced labor, collaboration with advocacy groups
such as the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, support
of recovery programs for victims of trafficking, and the use of
our economic power as consumers and investors to create a socially
just and environmentally sustainable society that works against
incentives for trafficking. |