NCAN - National Coalition of American Nuns

Commitment To Peace

We, the National Coalition of American Nuns, commit ourselves to the long-term work of justice and peacemaking in our personal lives, ministries, congregations, churches, and civil society. Following the example of Jesus, we will encourage nonviolent means of responding to conflict. We call on the U.S. government to begin at once to withdraw from its occupation in Iraq and to withdraw support of the Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. We encourage a boycott of Israeli goods in order to hasten a more just civil order in the Holy Land. The U.S. Arms Export Control Act Prohibits the use of US-made machinery or weapons against a civilian population. Because Caterpillar (CAT) bulldozers are used as weapons of war in the Occupied Territories in violation not only of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, but also of international law and the corporation's own code of conduct, we call for divestment from Caterpillar, municipal boycotts of CAT machinery, and a consumer boycott of other CAT products.

African Poverty

NCAN, that has many members ministering among the poor in Africa, joins the U.S. public in searching for answers to the following questions: How can we of the richest country in the world continue to avert our eyes and block our ears from the crying children of the poorest continent in the world, Mother Africa? What is our moral and ethical response to :

Millions of African children dying of hunger or Malaria? Millions of African children dying or being orphaned by HIV-AIDS? Millions of African children being terrified, displaced, and/or murdered by genocide in Darfur? Millions of African children being recruited as child soldiers in civil wars? Some of our suggesions include advocating on behalf of our African sisters and brothers with our U.S. senators to impact U.S. policies and appropriations, keeping ourselves informed on and praying about the ongoing crisis, and seeking ways to respond, making alternative contribtions to African relief in place of exchanging gifts.

Crisis of Earth - To All People of the Earth

NCAN joins with others-scientists, men/women of all faiths, persons from all countries, those who earn exorbitant salaries and those who work for subsistence wages-to recognize that our planet Earth is in crisis. We acknowledge that those of us from the developed world have placed Earth in this crisis by our over-consumption and over-reliance on electricity and fossil fuels to heat our homes, run our computers, and power our cars. We have observed, and allowed to continue, the pollution of our atmosphere, the changes in climate in the U.S. and throughout the globe, the displacement of peoples, and the increase in malnutrition and disease worldwide. We recognize that our actions have militated against the sustainability of planet Earth. We call on religious leaders of all faiths to enjoin their congregations to study Earth-related issues. We encourage U.S. legislatiors to promote legislation that will ensure climate stability and a downward spiral in greenhouse gas emissions. For the sake of children throughout the world and for future generations, we pledge ourselves to moderate the impact we make on planet Earth because this is one of the most important moral issues of our day.

Call To Compassion: A Letter to the Faithful

Noting a few recent Vatican declarations changing the regulations for the Latin Mass, reversing advances that have been made in ecumenism, and restricting the admission of gay men into seminaries, the National Coalition of American Nuns asks for a more compassionate approach to the practice of our faith. Rather than strictly adhering to pre-Vatican II practices, a more compassionate church would incorporate more culturally relevant practices, partner more with other faiths moving toward an authentic unity, and invite the faithful into an expanding, renewing and deepening reflection of their faith. Rather than continuing support of a just war theory, a more compassionate church would oppose all war and teach peace-making skills for all levels of government and interpersonal conflict resolution. Rather than following rididly prescribed sexual rules, a more compassionate church would welcome into full parnership women in the church as priests and other ministers, support the rights of same sex persons entering into permanent relationships, provide condoms to diminish the spread of AIDS, support victims of sexual abuse and their perpetrators by responding to them with justice, and recognize the right of women as moral adults to be decision-makers in reproductive rights. Rather than silencing prophetic voices, a more compassionate church would welcome diverse voices as manifestations of the spirit and encourage their public expression.

Percentage of Women

Percentage of Women

How do women members of Congress compare to women in legislatures of other countries?

Rwanda is #1 with 48.8% women members

2. Sweden  45.3%

3. Norway   38.2%

4. Finland  37.5%

5. Denmark 36.9%

6. Netherlands 36.7%

7. Cuba     36.0%

8. Spain 35.9%

9. Costa Rica  35.1%

The U.S. ranks 21st with 15.2% women members in the House and Senate.

The Flyer United Metholdist newsletter of the Commission on Status and Role of Women,

July-Sept. 2006.

Facts That Cannot Be Ignored

* A single Mother with two children working full-time at the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour makes $10,700 a year which is $6,000 below the poverty level.

* The federal minimum wage has been the same since 1997. In those years the salaries of Senators have been raised seven times. These salaries have gone up about $35,000 or three times the yearly income of a minimum wage worker.

* Raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour adds up to more than one year of groceries, over 9 months of rent, and full tuition for a community college degree.