Chris Herlinger

Religious communities are at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world but must continue to set an example and expand their efforts, sister advocates say.

In the face of daunting global challenges, Catholic education must address the need for the flourishing of humanity and the protection of the planet, said sister educators at a June 3 webinar. 

GSR Today - The withdrawal of U.S. troops could threaten the small gains women and girls have made in the last 20 years. But the worries are also bound up with the maddingly complex reality that is Afghanistan.

Violence ripping through Israel, Gaza and the occupied territories will not likely end anytime soon, says a Comboni missionary sister with a long history of experience in the Middle East. "The situation here is very critical, and there are no signs of improvement," said Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro.

Catholic sisters and congregational representatives advocating at the U.N., as well as sisters involved in on-the-ground ministries, give U.S. President Joe Biden generally high marks for his first 100 days in office.

In the face of a pandemic that is worsening in some countries, it is up to the universal church and Catholic sisters to continue and intensify efforts to get people vaccinated against COVID-19, says Sr. Carol Keehan.

Monday Starter - Reacting to the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, U.S. religious communities said justice was served, but urged renewed efforts to combat systemic racism.

Catholic sisters have long led the way in caring for creation and promoting environmental awareness. Congregations around the world are participating in a campaign that showcases their long-term work to restore the Earth.

Monday Starter - Scientists honor Sr. Dorothy Stang; Bon Pasteur Kolwezi recognized for anti-slavery work; "Águilas" film follows those who search for lost migrants in the Sonoran Desert; cooking with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, California; GSR celebrates seven years

Monday Starter - One fact comes through after the 65th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women: This last year has been terrible for women and girls.

Monday Starter - Global Sisters Report launches Monday Starter, a blog to keep you updated on sister news you may have missed. This week: UISG, Talitha Kum, Sophia Housing and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

Participants called the 65th U.N. Commission on the Status of Women a success, with an estimated 25,000 people worldwide joining two weeks of online meetings. But they also noted a sense of impatience with the pace of progress.

Sr. Eileen Reilly recently joined the Catholic Mobilizing Network, where her work against the death penalty is informed by her experience as a spiritual adviser to a serial killer before his execution in 2005.

GSR Today - The mood at this year's meetings of the U.N.'s Commission on the Status of Women is a bit somber, with much talk about the effects and setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercy Sr. Maryanne Loughry, a trained psychologist, has led psychosocial and well-being trainings throughout the world. But in the last year, she was also sought out to conduct webinars on coping with the pandemic.

Comboni Sr. Alicia Vacas Moro, a Spanish missionary whose ministry has focused on humanitarian needs in the Middle East, is one of 14 women receiving this year's International Women of Courage award from the U.S. Department of State.

A global digital divide must be overcome to end ongoing crippling inequalities, say participants in 10 days of meetings at the United Nations on digital technology's role in improving global social development.

Catholic sisters have been taking steps for decades to address homelessness and affordable housing issues around the world — and getting others to join them. As their grassroots efforts provide some temporary and long-range solutions, sisters who work at the U.N. vow to keep attention on the issues a year after a series of landmark meetings.

Catholic sisters and humanitarian officials are alarmed by inequalities in the worldwide rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying they pose further threats to the already-struggling Global South.

The global organization representing approximately 600,000 sisters is poised to continue distributing funds in 2021 to help congregations in crisis, some of which have paused ministries during the pandemic for lack of income.