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Working Together for Justice Working together for justice is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. Many of our Sisters in North America who are working to ensure justice for the poor and oppressed meet annually to share their ministries, and to learn from each other. Our Justice Co-Mission group is currently focusing on “Migration in all its Ramifications.” The theme of our 2008 meeting, held in Philadelphia at the end of September, was, “Global Migration: Realities and Challenges.” Thirty Medical Mission Sisters and Associates attended, along with several of our employees.
Attorney Joseph Lonergan of Catholic Social Services, Philadelphia, spoke to the group about the legal difficulties encountered by immigrants both documented and undocumented – including some US citizens. A workshop on the Root Causes of Migration was conducted by Jessica Walker-Beaumont of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Susan Thompson of our Alliance for Justice Office.
Human Trafficking (modern slavery) was discussed by Bridget Rooney of the Anti-Trafficking Office of Catholic Social Services, Philadelphia. Sister Teresita Hinnegan, head of the city’s Center for the Empowerment of Women, took the participants on a tour of Dawn’s Place, a shelter that will receive women prostitutes who want to get off the streets, and who need appropriate social services to change their way of life. German Sister Dagmar Plum then spoke about her work at a Safe House in Koblenz, Germany, with SOLWODI (Solidarity with Women in Distress). This organization helps migrant women in distress who come to Germany through trafficking, marriage agencies, sex tourism, or enticement by false promises of work. The gathering was enhanced by updates of other participants on their justice activities along the border area between Mexico and the U.S.; in Southern California, Florida and Wisconsin; and in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Sister Philo Morris spoke about the crises being addressed at the United Nations.
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