The Sisters and Associates of the Congregation of St. Joseph are deeply saddened and moved by love and compassion over the incomprehensible suffering of the thousands of victims of clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Like so many, we too are left angry and grieving in the wake of this tragic situation, and we stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.
We join with The U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in calling on Church leadership to address the culture of abuse within Church, hold abusers accountable, and raise up the voices of victims while offering them support and compassion.
Women religious represent a reconciling force within our divided and grieving Church. Called by the Gospel mission of inclusive love and unity, we Sisters and Associates of St. Joseph embrace the charism of unifying love and work toward healing and transformation of the world. We do this through compassionate listening, standing with all who are abused or marginalized, and collaborating with others to bring about change. We will continue to work for unity and healing for the survivors of abuse, their families, and our Church. We welcome the opportunity to work with our brothers and sisters — lay and religious — to dismantle the culture of abuse within the Church and society.
We affirm all Church ministers, bishops, and priests who serve with faithful integrity.
