Victory Noll Sisters
1900 W. Park Dr.
P.O. Box 109,
Huntington, IN 46750-0109
phone
260-356-0628 - fax
260-358-1504

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The Victory Noll Sisters and Associates have always been involved and concerned about issues of social justice. We’ve never been afraid to put our bodies on the line where it counts. Through our ministry the Church reaches out beyond its structures to make tangible God’s love and care for all people. The shape of our ministry is determined by the needs of our time.

Sister Justine Kiefer represented all the Victory Noll Sisters in their support of the farm workers in Ohio.

View our 2005 war protest in Fort Wayne, Indiana by
clicking on the movie camera icon below.

Today we must deal with problems like gangs, drugs, the AIDS epidemic, the dehumanizing effects of poverty and unemployment, immigration issues and trafficking of women and children. Our simple lifestyle and missionary flexibility enable us to go where people are hurting. We are committed to walk with the people in their struggle for a better life.

Sister Ginger Downey helps build Maggie’s Place, for pregnant women, in Phoenix, Arizona.

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General Election – 2008

 One of the most effective ways we can participate in the political process of our nation is by voting. Voting allows us to promote the social values of our faith, like protecting human life and dignity, building a just and fair society, and helping the poor and vulnerable. However, we are often in a dilemma in choosing a candidate who best represents these values.

How Should Catholics Vote?

How should Catholics vote? There is no Catholic voting formula, nor is there rarely, if ever, a perfect candidate for Catholic voters. Deciding how to vote can be difficult, but the following principles can help one to make a sound and faithful decision:

• Inform your conscience – on Catholic social teaching and the candidate’s position.
• Apply prudence – when deciding how to apply Catholic values to voting.
• Vote for the common good – by focusing on what is best for everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable.

There are many important issues that affect the common good of all people. These are issues of peace and security, economic justice, and ecological sustainability. It is necessary to review carefully the candidates’ positions on these issues, to consider Catholic social teaching, and analysis by trusted sources.

Economic Justice

 Catholic social teachings have consistently emphasized the value of every human being and the right for all peoples to have truly human lives. In their pastoral letter, Economic Justice for All, the U.S. Bishops stated “Our faith calls us to measure [the] economy, not only by what it produces, but also how it touches human life and whether it protects or undermines the dignity of the human person.” (Introduction, p. v)

 At present there is a downturn in the U.S. economy. Economists debate whether we are in a recession or just a temporary slump.  Because of predatory loans, many people cannot pay on their mortgages and are losing their homes. The federal debt continues to rise. There is also a huge trade imbalance, as we import more goods than we export. The dollar has been devalued in comparison to other currencies. The job rate fell in January 2008 for the first time in five years. The economic stimulus plan that has been passed by Congress recently will bring some short-term relief, but for the future there must be fundamental changes in our economic system. (Excerpts from Economic Policy Institute, www.epi.org) 

 In this election year we have the opportunity to change our country by putting the common good on the national agenda and making sure all candidates and elected officials have specific plans for reducing poverty and ending the war in Iraq. What can we do? Consider the fullness of Catholic social teaching when voting for candidates. Find out their positions on a full range of issues, on policies that support the needs of the many over the few.

Resources are available.

• The Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns has published Loving our neighbor in a shrinking world, a 12-page booklet addressing crucial foreign policy issues as well as reflections and questions for candidates on the following topics: economic justice, migration, climate change, peace and security, and HIV/AIDS. Copies are available from the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, P.O. Box 29132, Washington, DC 20017. Call 202-832-1780 or send an email to ogc@maryknoll.org. This publication may be downloaded in English or Spanish from the Maryknoll web site: www.maryknollogc.org/elections2008 
• The booklet, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (English and Spanish), from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It provides an overview of Catholic teaching on civic responsibilities, the role of the Church in political debates on public policy, and ten critical questions Catholics should ask of every political candidate. It may be ordered from USCCB Publishing, 3211 Fourth St. NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194 or call 800-235-8722. This publication can be downloaded from the USCCB web site, www.usccbpublishing.org.

The War in Iraq

 There are many issues that confront our nation, some more urgent than others. One issue is the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home. The war has had disastrous effects on the lives of thousands of people in terms of deaths, serious physical and mental injuries for both U.S. military personnel and Iraqis. Moreover, thousands of Iraqis are now refugees within their own or neighboring countries. Poverty and unemployment have increased in Iraq.

 Besides the toll in human suffering, the financial cost of the war has had and continues to have a serious impact on the economy of the United States and the whole world. The money spent on the war takes away funds needed for domestic programs, such as health care, education, affordable housing, etc. There are other issues, too, that need attention; namely, immigration reform, global warming, the death penalty, nuclear proliferation, etc. We cannot wait until the election for changes; even now we must keep abreast of legislation that is being proposed and debated in Congress and take appropriate action.

Federal Budget

 According to the Federal Committee on National Legislation, the total 2009 U.S. military budget proposed by the president will surpass one trillion dollars for the first time in history. The military budget has increased by 70 percent since President Bush took office, according to the White House. The FCNL calculates that the increase may be closer to 100 percent.

 While the president’s budget proposes to spend $1 trillion for the military, it proposes to reduce domestic spending by $454 billion in the next five years, which will be felt by millions of people in programs that are vital to our security, health and welfare as a nation. Internationally, the administration continues to focus on building U.S. capabilities to fight and win deadly conflicts, while providing little money for necessary tools to prevent deadly conflicts. The budget is proposing the funding of a new generation of nuclear weapons and a new nuclear bomb plant. This must be stopped! Keep track of the actions of Congress regarding the budget.

(For more information on the proposed budget, visit FCNL’s web site: www.fcnl.org.) 

War Is Not The Answer

 If war is not the answer, then what is? Secretary of Defense Robert Gates voiced a different approach in his address at Kansas State University on November 26, 2007:

“There is a need for a dramatic increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security—diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action, and economic reconstruction and development.”

We cannot overlook the fact that there is a threat to both US national security and the quality of life for over a billion of the world’s citizens because of weak and fragile states. These states are weak and fragile because their civilian institutions, such as their judicial system, police forces, economy, and agricultural sector do not work.

 However, there is legislation pending in Congress that would improve the U.S. ability to confront the threat of weak and fragile states: The Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act (S 613 & HR 1084). This legislation would authorize the creation of a civilian reserve corps, called a Response Readiness Corps, that would allow the United States to send civilian technical experts to assist countries in tasks like setting up judicial systems for the rule of law, financial markets to help in job creation, police forces to protect citizens, revitalized agricultural markets for food production and availability, and engineers to get electricity operating.

(Source: Friends Committee on National Legislation, www.fcnl.org)