SISTERS TAKE A CORPORATE STAND ON DISMANTLING RACISM
ASTON, PA – Following a referendum, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia have officially declared a corporate stand committed to dismantling racism within their congregation, communities, nation, and world.
This formal declaration acknowledges the congregation’s responsibility to confront systemic racism through a comprehensive approach of prayer, education, and advocacy. The sisters and their companions recognize that authentic transformation requires both accountability and courage, as they commit to examining their own biases, creating equitable policies, amplifying diverse voices, and building meaningful partnerships that advance racial justice.
“As Franciscans, we believe each person is a unique reflection of our Creator, deserving dignity and respect,” said Sr. Mary Vandergeest, cochair of the Dismantling Racial Discrimination Committee of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. “This corporate stand reinforces our commitment to the Gospel values of human dignity, justice, and love that have guided our congregation for 170 years. We are guided by Christ’s teaching to ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ from Matthew 22:39. This foundational principle calls us to examine how systemic racism prevents us from fully living this commandment.”
The Sisters of St. Francis acknowledge that racial discrimination fundamentally damages human dignity, divides communities, and contradicts their core values. Their stand recognizes how racist structures perpetuate intergenerational disadvantages in education, wealth, health, and opportunity, while inflicting substantial psychological harm through persistent stress and trauma.
In contrast, the sisters emphasize that dismantling racism creates more inclusive societies where all individuals can reach their God-given potential, helps heal historical injustices, and establishes pathways for reconciliation.
They plan to act on this stand by continuing to examine their biases and learn about racism; by voting to elect those who acknowledge systemic racism and have plans for addressing disparities in education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice; by advocating for anti-racist policies; by supporting organizations engaged in racial justice work; by speaking up in compassion when they observe words or actions that may perpetuate racial bias; and by praying for an end to systemic racism.
“Scripture reminds us in 1 John 4:20-21 that ‘Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen,’” said Colleen Collins, cochair of the congregation’s Dismantling Racial Discrimination Committee “This powerful teaching guides our commitment to confront the sin of racism in all its forms.”
Click here to view the referendum.
