United Nations

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  Universal Declaration of Human Rights Names Fundamental Human Rights for All People, Everywhere

  December 12, 2023

  According to the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It conveys a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into […]

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  We Stand in Solidarity with the People of the Middle East

  October 16, 2023

  As women of the Gospel, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids grieve with those who grieve and seek release of those held captive since the missile and humanitarian attacks began in Israel and Gaza October 7, 2023. “hatred, already experienced for too long, will increase even more and the ensuing spiral of violence will create […]

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  Prayers for the UN Climate Change Conference COP26

  November 1, 2021

  The United Nations Climate Change Conference (UN COP26) is meeting October 31 – November 12, 2021. in Glasgow Scotland. The COP26 summit brings parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This document COP26 Explained is helpful if you want to learn more. […]

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  Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Endorse Interfaith Statement Against Nuclear Weapons

  January 22, 2021

  “The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, in 2007, passed a Corporate Stance for the abolition of nuclear weapons. At the time when the United Nations was considering the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, letters were sent to Ambassador Haley, President Trump, and Representative Rand Paul urging them to endorse the treaty. On July […]

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  We Celebrate Peace… and Commit to the Work Yet to Come

  January 22, 2021

  How inspired and inspiring were the messages of unity coming from the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. this week! Did you know that the 59th Inaugural National Prayer Service on Thursday featured two vowed women religious? Sr. Carol Keehan helped get the Affordable Care Act passed under the Obama Administration; and […]

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  Banning Nuclear Weapons, A Historic Moment in Our Lives

  January 19, 2021

  Friday, January 22, 2021, the International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) enters into force and becomes International Law. This day will be “the beginning of the end of nuclear weapons” according to ICAN, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. ICAN is a coalition of over 600 partner non-governmental organizations in 100 […]

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  Pax Christi West Michigan Supports Spirit of Nonviolence

  January 18, 2021

  A Reflection from Pax Christi West Michigan As I prepared for my Sabbath time, it came to my mind that one year ago, Jan. 19, 2020, our first Pax Christi West Michigan (PCWM) meeting of the year, to be held at Dominican Center, was cancelled because of a snow storm. Our speaker that day was […]

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  Ardeth Platte, OP, Will Be Remembered as a Prophet of Peace

  September 30, 2020

  For Immediate Release GRAND RAPIDS, MI – September 30, 2020 – Ardeth Platte, OP: justice preacher, peace seeker, teacher, compassionate neighbor and friend stood with people on the margins—God’s people—and helped to lift up their cries again and again, each and every day. As the sun rose this morning, we discovered that God called home […]

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  US Dominican Sisters and Morgan Stanley Launch Climate Solutions Funds

  June 18, 2020

  On the fifth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si’, US congregations of Dominican Sisters announced the launching of a strategic investment initiative in collaboration with Morgan Stanley to address climate change, especially as it affects marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by global warming. The Sisters committed $46,650,000 to the initiative, seeding Climate Solutions Funds that […]

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  Dominican Justice Promoters Condemn U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement at COP 25

  December 4, 2019

  The following letter was sent by the North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation (NADJPCC) on Nov. 29, 2019 to the Dominican Delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 25 in Madrid. To the Dominican Delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 25: We, the North American Dominican […]