More than 50 Congregations of Cathoic Sisters gathered together in front of the U.S. Capitol on June 24, 2025. from across the nation to speak up for immigrants, the poor, women, school kids, and more people harmed by recent Federal cutbacks.
The sisters across the United States who could not be in Washington D.C. prepared vigils and gatherings as parallel protest and prayer. The Vedruna community in USA also participated in co-sponsoring the event and having a peace prayer vigil of solidarity.
Other sisters who were unable to march supported the protest with banners and prayers for those in the streets.
“We are here to say no to unjust policies. […] We believe in justice and mercy” – Megeen White, associate director of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd National Advocacy Center.
“We feel it is important to have a public witness and oppose the erosion of democracy” – Sr. Terri Bednarz, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Institute Leadership Team.
Among her congregation’s concerns are the deportation of international students; crackdowns on immigrants; the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs within government agencies and educational institutions; and policies harming the environment.
Also of concern is the potential increase in violence against women. “We are based on the Gospel,” Bednarz said of what prompted the sisters to have a public presence at the Washington event. “It’s expressing Gospel values. It’s a prophetic voice, as Jesus would have wanted us to do: to protect the vulnerable and to do it in a peaceful, nonviolent way.”
Sr. Maureen Foltz, ccv
