and companions so that we may continue to promote these points of our stance .
In 1987 , we adopted our first corporate stance , “ motivated by the Blood of Christ and called to be ministers of reconciliation ” we reaffirmed our belief in the sacredness of life as we took the position that capital punishment is wrong . We were encouraged to “ engage in activities which will end the death penalty ” and to “ preach justice and mercy on behalf of the victim and perpetrator .”
In 2013 our assembly adopted our second corporate stance . Our Corporate Stance Against Gun Violence lends our voice to “ affirm our belief in the sacredness of life … ( to ) seek to create a safe environment for our children by promoting a culture of life and peace .”
In this corporate stance we supported the following measures :
• Require background checks on all gun purchases
• Enforcement of gun trafficking laws
• Pass laws banning assault weapons and highcapacity magazines
• Pass laws to fund violence prevention programs
• Do not support any measures increasing armed guards at schools
• Make gun safety education necessary for owning a gun
If we reflect on the signs of the times today and understand the present reality of our lives we can acknowledge that our three corporate stances continue to be important . The issues that they speak of continue to impact our lives . Our voice still needs to be prophetic in all three cases .
The sacredness of all life from conception to natural death will always be a value we hold . We need to work to end state sanctioned executions . We know that innocent people have been killed throughout the course of history in our name . We understand that the death penalty is not a deterrent , the cost of executing people is prohibitive , and executing people does not make our society safer . We are called to justice and mercy .
As we affirm our belief in the sacredness of life we continue to be called to promote laws that end the uncontrolled and unlimited access to weapons and ammunition that help create the epidemic of gun violence . Recently our provincial director , Fr . Joe Nassal has reminded us that the “ grim statistics of those who are victims of gun violence are staggering … the city of Chicago suffered its 500 th homicide in 2016 , ninety in the month of August alone . Last year in Kansas City , 109 people were killed making it one of the city ’ s deadliest years in recent history .”
As we promote our Corporate Stance Against Gun Violence we work for peace and healing in light of our struggles around our country . We pray for the victims of violence and those who perpetrate violence on others . We grieve for our loved ones lost because of this cycle of violence . As we remember this corporate stance we pray for peace .
We can also see the importance of Just and Compassionate Reform of Our Broken Immigration System . As we have seen during this political season , immigrants , whether undocumented our documented , have been the object of insult , derision and unjust treatment . Who will speak on their behalf ?
As Christians we promote the sacredness of life , justice , mercy and peace . As sisters and brothers of Gaspar we are called to hospitality and reconciliation and to preach courageously the Gospel in our daily lives . Our three corporate stances Against the Death Penalty , Against Gun Violence , and on behalf of Comprehensive Reform of the Immigration System help us to live out our Precious Blood vocations in our daily lives . W
Leadership , continued from page 2 would kill you , would you take a handful ? That ’ s our Syrian refugee problem .” This was followed by : “ This image says it all . Let ’ s end the politically correct agenda that doesn ’ t put America first .”
Contrast that with the following from a letter written to President Obama by six year-old Alex , and read by the president during his recent address to the United Nations : “ Remember the boy who was picked up by the ambulance in Syria ? Can you please go get him and bring him to my home ? Park in the driveway or on the street and we will be waiting for you guys with flags , flowers , and balloons . We will give him a family and he will be our brother .… We can all play together .… Thank you very much ! I can ’ t wait for you to come !”
Voting ( for those who live in states that have not restricted it ) does not take a lot of time and effort . Educating ourselves and forming our consciences does . W
October 2016 • The New Wine Press • 7