CSJP Leadership Team Statement on Modern Day Slavery Initiative

We, the leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, applaud the efforts of Senators Corker of Tennessee and Menendez of New Jersey who introduced the bi-partisan End Modern Day Slavery Initiative Act of 2015. It proposes to use U.S. seed money to leverage donations from foreign governments and private sources to fund the End Modern Slavery Foundation. The foundation would issue grants to governments and agencies engaged in ending slavery. It would promote the use of best practices and employ rigorous metrics to measure results. All funded projects are expected to reduce slavery by no less than 50%.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace support all efforts to put an end to modern slavery. Our founder, Mother Francis Clare (Margaret Anna Cusack) came to the U.S. in part to serve the young Irish working girls who were employed working in harsh conditions in New York City. Sisters and associates today have a passion to put an end to human trafficking and bring an end to all forms of human slavery.

In accord with our tradition
we commit ourselves to promote peace 
in family life, the church and in society.
We strive to respect the dignity of all persons, 
to value the gifts of creation,
and to confront oppressive situations.
We respond to God's people in need
and promote social justice
as a way to peace.
Constitutions #11

The leadership team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace joins in Shine a Light on Slavery Day, Friday February 27, 2015. We encourage the Congress to pass the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015 and encourage all sisters and associates to support the world-wide effort to bring an end to trafficking and slavery.