Sisters of Charity Federation Releases Letter

Feb 9, 2022 | Announcements

Sisters of Charity Federation Releases Letter

In February, in acknowledgment of and with respect to Black History Month in the United States and Canada, the Sisters of Charity Federation shared the following letter (below) with Sisters who are members of the federation.

In 2021, the Sisters of Charity Federation took steps to investigate the historical record regarding the use of enslaved persons in the time of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821), the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph (Mother Seton’s Community), and the Daughters of Charity.

As a result of their research, the board decided to issue a letter which contains an apology and request for forgiveness for six founding congregations. The board felt that only by “shinning a light on difficult, shared truths can we truly move forward together in unity.”

As one of the Federation’s member congregations, The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth wishes to extend their support and solidarity to this effort. We ask your prayers as Federation members continue to discern next steps.

Link to Federation Letter
Link to Q&A document

Note: Media-related questions about this letter may be directed to Susan Oxley, communications coordinator for the Sisters of Charity Federation. E-mail: soxley@sistersofcharityfederation.org.

Sisters of Charity Federation Member Congregations – www.sistersofcharityfederation.org
Setonian-related congregations:
Daughters of Charity, Province of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton | Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise | Sisters of Charity of New York | Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati | Sisters of Charity – Halifax | Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth | Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

Non-Setonian-related congregations:
Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception | Les Religieuses de Notre-Dame-du- Sacré-Coeur | Sisters of Charity of Nazareth | Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy | Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth | Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish | Sisters of St. Martha of Prince Edward Island