Our solidarity with the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth deepens our commitment to bring fuller life to others and urges us to work to sustain all of life by caring for our common home, providing for the poor, and urges us to embrace the call to ecological conversion.
Anti-Human Trafficking
“It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human beings are bought and sold like goods” (Pope Francis March 5,2014)
As a congregation we have committed ourselves to do all that we can to stop this “crime against humanity” by reaching out to victims, empowering survivors, educating the public, and partnering with governments, NGO, organizations and other religious congregations who are committed to make a difference.
Safeguarding Policy
2022 Congregational Policies/Criteria
Alleged Abuse, Assault or Misconduct
Introduction
In keeping with Our Way of Life and mission, we, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, are committed to ways of relating based on dignity, justice and mutual respect.
Policy
Each Sister of the Sorrowful Mother will exercise integrity in her professional, ministerial and interpersonal relationships, guided by the law of Christian ethics. Failure to do so undermines public trust and confidence, damaging the whole Christian community. A Sister who engages in behaviors recognized as abuse, assault or misconduct violates human dignity and justice.
A Sister who becomes sexually involved in any manner with the person(s) with whom she has a professional, ministerial or interpersonal relationship demonstrates behaviors that are always morally unacceptable, reprehensible, abusive and exploitative and is subject to ecclesiastical and civil law of the country.
A Sister who intentionally physically, verbally or psychologically abuses, assaults or endangers another person, particularly person(s) in a vulnerable position, demonstrates unacceptable and intolerable behavior. She may be subject to legal prosecution.
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother will provide educational opportunities through initial and ongoing formation for members of the congregation to help them recognize and prevent abuse or assault, especially in the areas of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal conduct. It is the individual member’s responsibility to be cognizant of appropriate behaviors in relationships and to maintain integrity in all professional, ministerial or interpersonal interactions. Individual members are responsible to report knowledge or belief that a minor is the victim of abuse to the appropriate canonical official or supervisor or to child protection or law enforcement as required by local law.
In the event that an allegation of sexual abuse, assault or other serious misconduct is made against one of our members, all that is reasonably capable of doing is to be done, as determined in the reasonable judgment of the Major Superior after consideration of the intent of this Policy and the available facts. The response of the congregation shall be characterized by pastoral care for the alleged victim, the Sister who is accused and the members of the congregation. Care is to be taken that all persons involved will be treated in a manner that is consistent with the Gospel values of dignity, respect, compassion and justice. The Major Superior reserves the right, in her sole discretion, to implement some or all of these procedures, or such other procedures deemed by her to be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances, in the event an allegation is made involving other behavior that constitutes serious misconduct, but which does not meet the definition of sexual abuse, assault or misconduct.
When an allegation of abuse, assault or misconduct is made against a Sister, the rights of all must be respected.
In the event a Sister alleges abuse, assault or misconduct by another person(s) either within or outside the congregation, the congregation will support the Sister while at the same time following the ecclesiastical, civil and criminal laws of the country.
The preceding statements apply to any allegation of abuse, assault or serious misconduct unless the allegation is deemed clearly frivolous or not credible after internal investigation.
These statements apply to all postulants, novices and vowed members of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.
Each Region/Delegation will implement this Alleged Abuse, Assault or Misconduct Policy by developing specific procedures and educational programs to be presented to all the members of the regions/delegations.
Definition of Minor: Any person under age 18, or who is considered by law to be the equivalent of a minor.[1] This is the canonically recognized age as well as the civil law age in most if not all of US jurisdictions. Criminal or civil law may provide an applicable definition.
Definition of Vulnerable Person: Any person in a state of infirmity, physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want or to otherwise resist the offence.[2]
Child Pornography: any representation of a minor, regardless of the means used, involved in explicit sexual activities, whether real or simulated, and any representation of sexual organs of minors for primarily sexual purposes.[3]
Definition of Sexual Abuse, Assault and Misconduct: Includes unwanted or involuntary contact of any kind of a sexual nature between a member of the congregation and another person. When necessary and appropriate, civil and criminal laws are invoked. Criminal or civil law may provide an applicable definition.
[1] According to Apostolic Letter: “Motu Proprio”. Pope Francis June 2019
[2] According to Apostolic Letter: “Motu Proprio”. Pope Francis June 2019
[3] According to Apostolic Letter: “Motu Proprio”. Pope Francis June 2019
Our Safeguarding Policy is currently being updated to meet the Universal Guidelines Framework (January 2026)
Eliminating Single-use-plastic
Plastic waste is threatening waterways, aquatic habitats, and the ecological balance of our global communities. We, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, commit ourselves in doing our part to eliminate our use of single-use- plastic in all our communities and ministries wherever we serve in the world.
Laudato Si’
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother have enrolled in the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform, joining our world Catholic community in a seven-year commitment to study, help put into action and live more fully an aspect of Catholic Social Teaching that has been given scant attention until Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.