The Murder of George Floyd and Racism in America

The Sisters of the Cross and Passion of North America stand in solidarity with all of those who are angered and distressed by the brutal murder of George Floyd by a police officer, a man whose duty it was to serve and protect all of the people of Minneapolis. Racism and violence are an unfortunate inheritance from our country’s past, but we must work to ensure that they are not part of our future. America’s black and brown citizens have the right, like all people, to be treated with dignity and respect.

As women religious we stand with Pope Francis, who has condemned racism and street violence, and urged reconciliation. We also support the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who ask, “How is it possible that in America, a black man’s life can be taken from him while calls for help are not answered, and his killing is recorded as it happens?”

We are committed to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. We have been blessed to witness the giftedness and the potential of all God’s people in our classrooms, our retreat centers, and within the many communities we serve. We believe that the diversity of our people is an expression of the expansiveness of God. We pray that all Americans will seek to emulate this expansiveness and that racism will give way to respect, awareness, and appreciation, especially for people of color.