November 11, 2007

The Dominican Sisters of Hope have adopted the following resolution:

We, Dominican Sisters of Hope and Associates, adopt the resolution in support of human rights by opposing the trafficking of all persons, especially women and children, for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

Dominican Sisters of Hope choose at times to respond publicly to global concerns by taking a corporate stance. The issues are determined by the social teachings of the Church. The corporate stance is a statement of principle – the result of prayer, research, reflection, and discussion with possible means of implementation.

Dominicans (Order of Preachers) across the country have been called to challenge the systems that dominate and oppress our world and to preach truth that liberates all. The National Dominican Stop Trafficking Committee has distributed facts and encouraged the viewing of documentaries on the issue. The Dominican Sisters of Hope leadership joined “The New York Religious Congregations against Trafficking” early in 2007. At the Dominican Sisters of Hope Assembly in July 2007, 97 sisters and associates signed letters to CEOs regarding “A Code of Conduct” with respect to human trafficking.

Sister Patricia Jelly, OP, Justice Promoter for the Dominican Sisters of Hope, said: “We are becoming more and more aware of the number of trafficked persons in our area. We are committed to doing everything we can to further awareness of the issue and to enable victims to get the services they need. It is essential that human trafficking gets prosecuted.”

Implementation of the corporate stance by the Dominican Sisters of Hope includes: a commitment to prayer for an end to the grave injustice of trafficking of persons for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor, collaboration with advocacy groups such as the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, support of recovery programs for victims of trafficking, and the use of our economic power as consumers and investors to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society that works against incentives for trafficking.

“We, Dominican Sisters of Hope, are called to preach the Gospel to our world. In communion with all creation, we commit our lives to the transforming power of Hope.” Mission Statement

Learn more about our worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers. Since the time of St Dominic, more than 800 years ago, Dominicans have been living and sharing the message of the Gospel. Today thousands of sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates, and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the globe. Visit us online at www.domlife.org.