Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Take A Stand for Peacemaking

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Read our official Corporate Stand on Peacemaking

Aston, Pennsylvania — April 10, 2026 — The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia have issued a corporate stand on peacemaking, affirming that lasting peace cannot be achieved through violence and echoing the recent public call of Pope Leo XIV to reject war.

This declaration builds upon and broadens the congregation’s 2003 corporate stand opposing the war in Iraq, expanding its focus to address the ongoing and global realities of violence and conflict in today’s world.

Following a congregation-wide referendum, the sisters have formally adopted this updated commitment, rooted in the Gospel nonviolence of Jesus Christ and inspired by the witness of St. Francis of Assisi. In unity with the Holy Father’s call for peace, the statement urges an end to military actions that violate the sovereignty of nations and the God-given dignity of every person. It also rejects the use of nuclear and chemical weapons, recognizing them as grave threats to humanity and to all of Creation.

“As Franciscans, we look to St. Francis, who crossed enemy lines to encounter Sultan Malik al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade,” said Kathleen McCabe, who helps to spearhead the congregation’s justice and peace efforts. “His example reminds us that dialogue, humility, and love are more powerful than violence.”

The sisters acknowledge the profound human and environmental cost of war. They mourn all who suffer from armed conflict—soldiers and civilians alike—and grieve the devastation of communities, the displacement of families, and the lasting harm inflicted on the Earth. Their declaration stands in harmony with Pope Leo’s recent words: “Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”

“We stand with that call,” said Marie Lucey, who currently serves as Associate Director of the Franciscan Action Network. “We echo Pope Leo’s conviction that no one can claim Jesus to justify war.”

This commitment is both a statement of belief and a call to action. In the spirit of the Gospel and in solidarity with the wider Church, the sisters pledge to deepen their prayer and fasting with those affected by violence; to advocate through public witness and engagement with elected officials; to participate in peaceful demonstrations and acts of solidarity; to examine their own complicity in systems that perpetuate harm; and to care for the Earth amid the destruction of conflict.

In a world often marked by division and violence, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia reaffirm their commitment to the Gospel—trusting that, even now, another way forward is possible.

Media Contact:
Geneen Pintof
gpintof@osfphila.org
(610) 558-7726

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