Leadership Taking Action

IHM Leadership Endorsements and Public Statements

Below you will find the most recent endorsements by the IHM Leadership Council of organizational sign-on letters and position statements on issues that are important to the congregation.

Jan. 19, 2021

IHM Leadership Council signed onto the Joint Interfaith Statement on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons . The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is the first international agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons, with the ultimate goal of total elimination. It was adopted on July 7, 2017, opened for signature on Sept. 20, 2017 and will become legally binding on Jan. 22, 2021. For the nations that are party to it, the TPNW prohibits the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. For nuclear armed states joining the treaty, it provides a time-bound framework for negotiations leading to the verified and irreversible elimination of their nuclear weapons programs. The purpose of the statement is to celebrate this milestone; inform more people about this important treaty; and encourage more nations (including the United States) to sign on.

The IHM congregation is committed to “working with others of the human community to raise consciousness about and to resist the evils of the arms race and increase militarization throughout the world.” (Assembly 1980). This recommendation for endorsement is made with this commitment in mind.

 

Jan. 7, 2021
IHM Leadership Council Statement on Repairing Our Democracy

We, the Leadership Council of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Mich., were stunned and heartbroken at the insurrection that took place at the United States Capitol as our members of Congress voted to confirm the results of a free and fair election. We are relieved that this attempted coup was thwarted and that the certification of the election was able to continue. While we are grateful that violence was minimal, we mourn with the families of the four individuals whose lives were needlessly lost as a result.

In our Chapter 2018 direction, IHM Sisters and Associates committed ourselves to engaging in respectful conversation with those who are seen as different because of our political loyalties. What unfolded at the Capitol is the direct result of unchecked hyper-partisan hostility fomented by false claims of wide-spread voter fraud perpetuated by President Trump and enabled for too long by members of his own party. While we must begin the difficult work ahead of healing the deep wounds of our nation, we cannot do so unless our nation’s leaders lead by example and publicly acknowledge the legitimacy of this election, firmly disavow election conspiracy theories and urge their supporters to do the same.

We join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in renewing our commitment to the common good and taking up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.

 

IHM Leadership Council Endorsements and Public Statements – 2020

IHM Leadership Council Endorsements and Public Statements – 2019

IHM Leadership Council Endorsements and Public Statements – 2018