The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas was founded out of a deep concern for persons who are poor. Initially the Institute was guided as a community by a Direction Statement, created at the first Institute Chapter Meeting in 1991.

 

As the community developed, and the world changed, alterations to the Direction Statement were shaped in order to address new needs. The outcome of this process is the Critical Concerns, the guiding document used today by the sisters to focus their commitment to care for persons who are poor. Five “critical concerns” are addressed by the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas through prayer; attention to personal, communal and institutional choices; education; advocacy with legislators and other government leaders; and corporate engagement.

The Critical Concerns

EARTH

We [the Sisters of Mercy] believe in the need to work toward the sustainability of life and support movements and legislation that secure the fundamental right to water for everyone, and that address climate change. That leads us to examine our own behaviors and policies and to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices. We also advocate against hydrofracking; against mining that impacts indigenous and impoverished communities; for regulations that protect land, air and water; and for national and international agreements that mitigate climate change and ensure support for those most vulnerable to its effects.

IMMIGRATION

We [the Sisters of Mercy] reverence the dignity of each person and believe everyone has the right to a decent home, livelihood, education and healthcare. In the United States we work for just and humane immigration laws, a reduction in deportations that tear families apart, and an end to the detention bed quota. We look at the root causes of immigration, including U.S. policies that contribute to the economic and social conditions that push people to flee their countries, and the global impact of migration through our reality as an international community of women religious.

NONVIOLENCE

We [the Sisters of Mercy] work for peace through prayer, education, and personal and communal practices of nonviolence. We support nuclear disarmament, reduction of arms, and the use of dialogue instead of armed conflict. We work to prevent domestic violence and abuse of women and children, stop human trafficking and reduce violence in our communities. That leads us to advocate for commonsense gun violence prevention legislation, an end to the death penalty, an end to the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, and dialogue with Syria and Iran.

RACISM

We [the Sisters of Mercy] believe racism is an evil affecting us all. We work to mobilize sisters and associates in recognizing and dismantling institutional racism in order to become an anti-racist multicultural community. We advocate for upholding the voting rights of marginalized Americans and for a fair criminal justice system, and point out racism wherever it exists.

WOMEN

We [the Sisters of Mercy] believe that women’s education, health and spirituality need special attention. We continue this mission in our schools, colleges, health-care institutions and spirituality centers. We advocate for equal pay, for services for domestic violence victims, and for the rights of girls and women in especially repressive societies.