And Read Why She Lives on the Edge
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Sister Hope Bauerlin (formerly Sister Miriam Bauerlin) entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1946. She has served in healthcare both as a nurse and as a nursing instructor in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Oregon. She also ministered in social services in various capacities. Currently, she volunteers as a certified lactation consultant at the Healthy Babies Project in Washington, DC. Speaking of her career in healthcare, Sister Hope describes herself as a “pioneer” in several areas, including the movement to allow fathers into the delivery room during the birth of their child and introducing the parish nurse concept into a parish in Washington, DC. She was also responsible for creating an integrated/shortened curriculum, including college credits, in the diploma nursing program in one of the hospitals where she worked.
Sister Hope credits her life as a Sister of St. Francis with helping her to grow in inner freedom. “This inner freedom prepared me for the first wave of feminism; for a deeper understanding of women in history, religion, and the Church; and in the development of justice-seekers today,” she explained. As evidenced by her involvement in the “Drop the Debt,” program, Sister Hope continues to be a “justice-seeker” in many areas and around many issues.
What makes you continue to work actively for justice at this stage of your life?
Probably because this activity of working for justice is a source of energy in my life. For me it is part of “living on the edge.” Someone said recently that if you are not living on the edge today, you are taking up too much room. Seeking justice was a seed planted early in my life. Dating back to the effects of the Great Depression, I recall seeing pictures of veterans of World War I building a tent city in Washington, DC, to obtain back pay and benefits owed to them for fighting for our country. I recall reading of the horrors of the Dust Bowl of the middle of the country. I remember debating the issue of equal pay for women in the workforce—an issue for which we are still seeking satisfactory answers. So it is not surprising to me that I continue to be active in justice issues. A difference today is the added energy I receive because it is a part of our charism—Franciscans are known as peacemakers. The most well known peace prayer is attributed to St. Francis. But before peace must come justice, so in addition to that, I recently read that we, the elders, the crones, the aging, are needed to rebalance society. With aging comes saging—wisdom—and we can share it through our actions.
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In the past, Sister Hope has added her voice to those calling on government officials to "Drop the Debt." This demonstration took place in Washington, DC, in front of the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund Building. |
How did you originally get involved in your work for justice?
During the civil rights movement, I wanted to join the marches but that wasnot permitted. When the congregation initiated a justice committee, I attended the meetings and became aware of the part played by corporations in some of the injustices in our daily lives. Our congregational structure now promotes our desire to be advocates on another level. A wide variety of happenings today need our advocacy, for example, the death penalty, human trafficking, “Drop the Debt,” all of which are connected to the big issue—POVERTY. Today we live in a world divided between the Haves and the Have-Nots. I often wonder if Francis foresaw this outcome of money as a means of bartering for the goods of the world and saw what would happen to his LADY POVERTY. Greed has a way of getting in the way of the best of intentions. The Bishops’ Pastoral of 1971 affirmed the movement of sisters to become active in this kind of advocacy. That is when NETWORK—the Catholic Sisters Lobby for Social Justice—was started and has been on the frontlines ever since. They are deeply respected by members of congress because they “do their homework.” Perhaps you would consider subscribing to their journal, Connections, to stay well informed on all the social justice issues. You might also want to support their work. Sisters from many different congregations serve on the staff and Board of Directors (our own Sister Marie Lucey is on this board). Network also periodically prepares a chart showing how each congressperson votes on various issues and indicates whether or not it is in line with the Catholic Social Doctrine.
What activities are involved in your work with the Jubilee USA Committee as related to “Drop the Debt?”
I attend the Annual Network Council Meeting when plans and budgets are made for the coming year. Regional meetings are held—this year it was held in downtown Chicago at the Jesuit University. Bi-weekly conference calls are held—8-9 P.M. on Tuesday evenings and people across the country are present, describing what is happening in their area. California, Washington and Montana have very active groups. Jubilee congregations are an important part of the Network Council. We are a Jubilee congregation. Assisi House and Neumann College act with the Sisters of St. Francis in the most important activities—calling our lawmakers and attempting to influence legislation related to the debt. I take part in the protests, vigils,and rallies at congress, the International Monetary Fund Building, the World Bank, and the Treasury Buildings. During Holy Week there is a“Stations of the Cross” ritual where we go from station to station, i.e., buildings, which house the staff and decision makers dealing with issues related to economics and the debt. We distribute postcards to be sent to these different groups at appropriate times during the budget-making period.
Giventhe state of our world today, what challenge can you offer to ourwebsite visitors regarding our need for advocates for justice?
The greatest injustice today is, without a doubt, the Iraqi War/Occupation by U.S. troops. As Pope John Paul II said, “This whole venture was a defeat for humanity.” The billions being spent on the war (twelve billion a week) also prevents other serious needs from being met in the U.S., such as poverty, healthcare, or the needs of the uninsured, and, at the same time, destroys the people and the country of Iraq. Millions have become refugees. The challenge is a special one for our Franciscan congregation. We have inherited the story (not a legend) of Francis’ encounter with the Sultan Malek al-Kamil during the 5th Crusade. Francis went to Egypt, right into the camp of the “enemy,” and into the tent of the sultan. So my challenge is for each of us to read and contemplate this story again. How does it relate to our own encounter swith our Muslim brothers and sisters? How does it connect with our occupation of an ancient Muslim land with Christian roots? Can we reach out to them here in our country? Can we go to their mosque to pray with them for peace and invite them to come and pray with us? Why we have allowed so few refugees from Iraq into our country? Can we meet an iman and hear his views of what is happening? Do we support legislation to defund the war, using the money to repair a damaged country and to continue the humanitarian aid? How do we reassure our timid legislators to have courage at this time?
