The Sisters of St. Joseph were one of the first groups whose works centered on meeting the needs of local communities by being an active presence among them. The Sisters first came to the Erie Diocese in 1860 to teach children. Soon we were ministering to the sick, the elderly and orphaned and serving in a wide range of ministries. Along with our Associates, we continually strive for unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God. Like Jesus, in John:17, we strive to bring peace and healing to our world. The virtues of humility and charity are the basis and distinctive characteristics of our spirit and spirituality. Reconciliation is central to our lives and we actively seek peace and forgiveness with God, within ourselves, and with others in order to promote the inner harmony characteristic of a disciple of Christ. We fulfill our mission by searching out and undertaking whatever ministry may best bring about this unity. Prayer and community life support and animate this mission.
Death Penalty Statement (1999)
In keeping with our mission of unity and reconciliation, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania declare our opposition to the death penalty. We join with our sisters and brothers from around the world who have denounced the use of the death penalty as a deterrent for crime and who consider the death penalty as a violation of human rights.
We believe that every human life has an inherent dignity given by God. We reverence life from conception through death. We desire to stand in solidarity with Pope John Paul II and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who have clearly declared their opposition to the death penalty. We also recognize the need to reach out to victims and their families, to support them in their pain and loss, and to facilitate forgiveness and healing.
We are aware of the violence in our society and affirm that society has a need to protect itself from individuals who have proven to be dangerous. We believe, however, that addressing the roots of violence and incarceration properly applied, could effectively alter the cycle of violence. We join with our church and civic leaders in taking nonviolent actions for the elimination of state sanctioned death and to put forth every effort to recognize and affirm the dignity of each life.