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February 17, 2022, Adrian, Michigan – The General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters issued the following statement in defense of Catholic Charities USA and its humanitarian, Gospel-based ministry with immigrants at the Southern border.
We are deeply troubled by the vitriolic attacks on Catholic Charities USA and its Rio Grande Valley agency in Brownsville, Texas, renowned for their outstanding humanitarian work in fidelity to the Gospel, supporting migrants and refugees as well as Americans in need. The attacks, coming through hateful phone calls and vicious commentary, have been spurred by false media reports that Catholic Charities is aiding illegal immigration and engaged in human smuggling and profit-making.
Nothing could be further from the truth – nor more hurtful.
Catholic Charities aids 15 million people each year suffering from poverty, homelessness, natural disasters, mental illness, as well as migrants and asylum seekers. Among those subjected to harsh attacks are our Adrian Dominican Sister Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, and Missionaries of Jesus Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and its Humanitarian Respite Center.
We are honored to stand in solidarity with our Sisters Donna and Norma and all the people with whom and to whom they minister with such compassionate care out of faithfulness to our Catholic faith and Judeo-Christian tradition. We pray for an end to the mean spiritedness that seems to have gripped so many in our nation and for a softening of hearts that will permit us all to enter into honest encounters, as sisters and brothers created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), seeking understanding and respectful engagement with one another.
Members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ General Council are Sisters Patricia Siemen, OP, Prioress; Mary Margaret Pachucki, OP, Vicaress and General Councilor; Frances Nadolny, OP, Administrator and General Councilor; and Patricia Harvat, OP, and Elise D. García, OP, General Councilors.
Catholic Charities, founded over a century ago, continues to serve the disenfranchised through a collective and well-managed effort to serve people in great need. Their work has proven to be a time-honored and relied upon service. Anyone who slanders such a proven organization is either greatly misinformed or operating from an agenda of malice.
Please look beyond and see the love and commitment that is being shown to immigrants. Arriving in our country, having left home and families, help them to find safety, security and a livelihood here in the USA.
Thank you for this bold and strong statement in support of Catholic Charities and in upholding truth and honor in immigrants coming into the USA.
As a past volunteer with Sister Norma in McAllister. TX and having the privilege of listening to numerous stories of migrants who had presented themselves at the border seeking asylum, I stand witness to the fact that: a) they in no way wanted illegal entrance and b) they were able to breathe a sigh of relief and thanksgiving as they found a day or two of respite with the Catholic Charities hospitality center before moving on to the homes of their sponsors. Margi MillerAssociate of the Sinsinawa Dominicans
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you continue to serve our sisters and brothers in McAllen, Texas and wherever God's people need us. May you be blessed each day for your generosity and service! Your mission is the Good News!
I stand in solidarity with sisters Donna and Norma and I honor their work in helping the poor and afflicted.
I can not help but to think of the beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” May you be blessed with strength and courage as you act in keeping with Gospel values and are true to your mission.Karen Fisk