Sr. Simone Speaks at the Women’s March
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
January 21, 2017
Hello.
I am Sr. Simone Campbell. I am one of the Nuns on the Bus and honored to be here today.
We have traveled this nation, met many of you, but I must say I have never seen a sight like this— all of us together in one place.
That is very scriptural, if you will remember, those who know the Christian Scriptures. They say that we were gathered in one place: frightened, afraid to go out, and then a mighty wind came, a mighty wind that stirred the hearts and lifted the courage and let people know we are not alone, we are together.
We are together regardless of our faiths, regardless of the color of our skin, regardless of who we define as neighbor.
We are all neighbors to each other, and that is the deep truth that our nation was founded upon. We are our sisters’ keepers; we are our brothers’ keepers. It is that truth that will help us to mend the gaps in our society. It is that truth that will get us to heal the economic divide where those at the top keep taking more than those who are working hard to generate their wealth.
We the people can bridge this gap. We can bridge the gap of race and division. Where African-Americans and whites and Hispanics and Sikhs and Muslims and Arabs and all of us share the one story that underneath whatever skin we have, it’s all red sinew and blood and passion and engagement and bridging the divide that is sucking the life out of us.
So my friends, can we commit in this moment to exercise joy, to claim our passion, to have curiosity about our neighbors, and then share it around. Because if we each do our part, we the people — we the people — will triumph. We the people are what our nation needs. And we the people will make the difference. Let’s do it together. We the people!
Dear Sr. Simone,
I believe the Catholic Church in America has the power to stop the GOP from denying real healthcare to tens of millions of Americans, simply by admonishing its believers that the tax cuts being granted the very wealthy must be given back to the needy– i.e. that to keep that money would be immoral and sinful. The Church and its bishops and their opposition to funding Planned Parenthood facilities should in no way prevent opposition to the brutal overall rescinding of the ACA. No amount of talk from the usual liberal suspects– among which I would include myself– in the media or the Democratic Party officials will have one tenth the impact of hearing this come from church leaders of all faiths and denominations. If the bishops, even one bishop, were to take the lead in this effort, many other religious leaders would surely follow. Thank you for all the work you all have been doing so selflessly. This is, in my belief, the real heart of the teaching of Jesus, as taught to me by my parents. While much of my beliefs has changed over my life, my belief in this compassionate ideal of sacrifice for the good of all remains as solid as ever. You are the true examples of Christian life.