Advertisement MissioICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

US Catholic leaders express solidarity with those affected by Covid-19 behind bars


Source: Catholic Mobilizing Network

Five United States Conference of Catholic Bishops committee chairmen, prominent men and women religious, and national lay leaders representing key Catholic organisations released a joint letter Wednesday in response to the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic within US prisons, jails, and detention and reentry centres.

The Statement of Solidarity: A Catholic Response to Covid-19 Behind Bars conveys a clear message of unity with "currently and formerly incarcerated and detained individuals, their loved ones, as well as those who are charged with their care and well-being." It urges political leaders to "make all efforts to ensure the health, safety, and spiritual well-being of those inside, including correctional and detention staff." Additional organisations and individuals are invited to sign on.

"The challenges brought by Covid-19 are unprecedented. We came together as a Catholic community to voice our collective solidarity with individuals living and working behind bars who are suffering from the coronavirus pandemic in wholly unique ways," said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network and among the statement's 14 original signers.

Reports show that more than 25,000 incarcerated or detained individuals and facility staff have tested positive for COVID-19 as of May 13, 2020; at least 370 have died. The risk of infection in prisons, jails, and detention centres outpaces that of the general population, in part due to under-resourced medical facilities and limited capacity for isolation inside.

The Statement of Solidarity calls attention to these disparities and offers Pope Francis' reminder that "there are no 'throwaway lives.'"

"We cannot simply stand by when experiencing COVID-19 behind bars could, for some, mean a de facto death sentence," said Vaillancourt Murphy. "Preserving the health and dignity of incarcerated and detained people must not be forgotten."

The letter's signers are as follows:

Most Rev Paul S Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City and Chairman of USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
Most Rev Mario E Dorsonville, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration
Most Rev Shelton J Fabre, Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux and Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism
Most Rev Gerald F Kicanas, Bishop Emeritus of Tucson and Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service
Most Rev Nelson J Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Chairman of USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church
Sr Mary Haddad, RSM, President & CEO of the Catholic Health Association
Sr Donna Markham, OP, PhD, President & CEO of Catholic Charities USA
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, MTS, Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network
Karen Clifton, MDiv, Executive Coordinator of the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition
Mary Tyler Curtis, Executive Direcor of Dismas Ministry
Very Reverend Timothy P. Kesicki, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States
David Lichter, DMin, Executive Director of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Mike McGarry and Collins Whitfield, Co-Chairs of the Apostolate for the North American Prison Ministry Apostolate of the Order of Malta

Read the full statement here:

https://catholicsmobilizing.org/files/attachments/resource/Statement_of_Solidarity_Letter_XL_WITH_SIGNATURES.pdf?

Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organisation that mobilises Catholics and all people of goodwill to value life over death, to end the death penalty, to transform the US criminal justice system from punitive to restorative, and to build capacity in US society to engage in restorative practices.

CMN works in close collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a founding member of the Congregation of St Joseph Mission Network.

LINK

Catholic Mobilizing Network - https://catholicsmobilizing.org/


Adverts

Mill Hill Missionaries

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon