Members of the Mercy community engaged in several public witness events during October to support our critical concern for Earth and Pope Francis’ challenge to hear both the cry of Earth and the cry of the poor.
Sister Anne Wootten and Brother Ryan Roberts, the newest member of the Mercy Justice Team, were among dozens of people arrested in front of the White House on Wednesday, Oct. 13, as part of the People Vs. Fossil Fuels days of action. Marianne Comfort of the justice team and four members of the Mercy Volunteer Corps also attended to show their support and hear the stories of people experiencing harm from climate change and fossil fuel extraction.
Mercy representatives also participated in Greenfaith’s Faiths 4 Climate Justice Global Day of Action on Monday, Oct. 18. Justice team member Angela Howard McParland organized a public witness outside of Bay View Academy in East Providence, RI, with 17 sisters, students and allies. That same day, Sister Anne Marie Miller of the Institute Leadership Team participated in a faith witness outside the U.S. Department of State. Sister Anne Marie was one of several religious leaders reading parts of a joint appeal from global faith leaders and scientists for meaningful progress on addressing the climate crisis at the upcoming United Nations climate talks.
Finally, Marianne Comfort of the Mercy Justice Team read from the joint appeal during a 12-hour faith vigil at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 20, to support President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.