News | Live Stream | Video Library
Contact Us | Employment | Donate
January 24, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, on behalf of the Congregation’s Sisters and Associates, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s pardon of individuals who were convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
President Trump’s pardon of 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol is unprincipled and dangerous. It is a blanket affirmation of the criminal behavior of individuals who attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, assailing our democracy and injuring more than 140 police officers who valiantly put their lives on the line in defense of our Capitol and the members inside. One of the officers, Brian Sicknick, died of severe injuries and several others subsequently died by suicide. As women of faith, we deeply believe in the virtue of mercy – particularly in giving mercy to those who repent and ask for forgiveness. In Hebrew, the word for mercy is rachamim, which has the same root words as “womb.” Mercy is akin to showing the love a mother has for her child. It also is translated as hesed, which means steadfast love – the enduring love that inspires compassion. This was clearly not an act of mercy. It was an act of contempt. It was an act of contempt for the U.S. Congress, the Constitution, the rule of law and all those who enforce it. It was an act that gives license to those freed from serving their court-ordered sentences, as well as others, to engage at will in acts of violent political opposition that endanger public servants and democratic institutions. It dishonors the brave law officers recognized by members of Congress of both parties on December 6, 2022, with their highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. The pardons are not merciful; they are alarming. We pray for the safety of all who continue to put their lives on the line to protect our democracy – in deep gratitude for their faithful and courageous service – and for all who now are at greater, unpardonable, risk.
# # # Members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters General Council are Sisters Elise D. García, OP, Prioress; Bibiana “Bless” Colasito, OP, and Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilors; Lorraine Réaume, OP, Vicaress and General Councilor; and Corinne Sanders, OP, General Councilor.
Thanks so much for writing this. I consider myself to have been raised by Dominican nuns ( Mount St. Mary, Newburgh, NY). Despite having 62 students in one classroom (!) the sisters gave us all the best education possible both academically and spiritually. I am so proud that Dominicans continue to be the Order of Preachers.
I'm sharing this post as it is so true. Lord have mercy for our country now run by a felon. 😢
So excited to see the the Adrian Dominicans have kept their sleeves rolled up in their efforts toward creating social justice, just as they did when teaching at Aquinas High School in the early 1970's. I am so fortunate to have received their daily guidance, love, clear direction and excellent academic instruction in my teenage years. Thank you for sharing this timely essay.
Agreed 100%. Thank you sisters for your thoughtful and prayerful concern for Justice and our fragile democracy
I agree, necessary to be stated!
Thank you so very much for this very strong & deeply needed Public Statement. This breach of law is totally unjustified should be punished as needed!Francine Titley, Canada
AMEN😇THANK YOU❣️THANK YOU❣️THANK YOU❣️🌹
Dear Friends,Thank you for your forceful, strong letter. Karen Walther, a School Sister of Notre Dame
Pardons for violent behavior against anyone, especially those who risk their lives, and sometimes give their very lives to protect others, is outrageous.
Please pray for the migrants, the poor, LGBQT people who need our help. I totally agree with you. Speak truth to power.
Thank you, Adrian Dominicans!I agree with you wholeheartedly! I am praying for mercy and justice for those who are suffering due to loss of loved ones or were harmed on 1-6-2020 and those who are in great need today!
Thank you and God bless you for your statement and expressing what many of us also thinks and feel regarding the pardons issued by President Trump.
Short and to the point!!
Dear Sisters, Thank you for your witness of gospel values in the face of the opposite. The white Christian nationalist positions of the current administration are not gospel values. They are a perversion of them. Please continue to stay strong as all of us are called like the early church to witness to love, justice and mercy. With prayer and camaraderie, Gene Majewski, PA (Providence Associate of the Sisters of Providence, St. Mary of the Woods, IN
Thank You for explaining this action in a great way.
🙏💚👍.
God Bless you,Sisters
What a wonderful message. My prayers for us and our country for such a bad state.
Thank you for speaking out for justice and morality.Your words resonate the thoughts of many silent readers. ADS reign!
Thank you, Sisters!!Always been so proud of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Thank you.
Thank you for this Public Statement. I'm most grateful and admiring of the Adrian Dominicans, a group of principled and courageous women who are an example to us all! Surely I will share your words, so clear and well-stated.
Strong women continue to speak up...we are the storm!I support you in your effort to not legitimize behavior unbecoming of our nation's leaders.God bless you.God bless America.
Exceptional, thoughtful statement following a pardon that flies in the face of justice. Thank you!
As always, the Adrians have clearly delineated the facts of the situation. This action is shameful and a slap in the face to first responders everywhere who risk their lives daily.Thank you for standing up to this despicable action.Mary Kate Witry
Thank you, Sisters, for your moral clarity and leadership. We can always count on the courage and compassion of the Adrian Dominicans. Your light is more needed than ever.
Dear Sisters,I am writing to praise you for your courage to call out President Trumps's pardons of January 6th insurrectionists. Courage breeds courage and we all need to summon it within ourselves and express it in public ways. Thank you for your inspiration!Neeta DelaneyKen Stevens
AMEN, Sisters!!! Thank you for proclaiming the truth with conviction!
I thank the Adrian Dominican sisters for these strongly written insightful and truthful observations. One painful detail that especially depicts the terrible mistake that the president made is the poignant statement that "This was clearly not an act of mercy. It was an act of contempt."
Adrian Dominican Sisters first taught me to read and to write and to love God. Now, Sisters, you continue to teach me by your example how best to follow Christ. I thank God for you.
Thank you for your insights and willingness to take a stance. I'm truly terrified and struggling to see so many of my neighbors and church members gleefully embracing what is happening. Faith over fear is taking on a new meaning~