Sister Marcella Marie Garus, C.S.S.F., Statement on President Trump’s Recent Immigration Ban
Villa Maria College, a Catholic college and Felician sponsored ministry, stands in solidarity with the Felician Sisters and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in defense of human dignity by denouncing the President Trump’s executive order concerning U.S. immigration policy. Following in the merciful example of Pope Francis who has said “authentic hospitality is our greatest security against hateful acts of terrorism”, Villa Maria affirms the dignity of all people, as evidenced in our core values, and remains committed to fostering a welcoming environment as described in our mission.
In the words of the foundress of the Felician Sisters, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska:
“Give aid to all without exception; your vocation obliges you not to exclude anyone, for everybody is our neighbor.”
Please read the following statement from the Felician Sisters:
In response to President Trump’s executive order to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. the Congregational Office for Justice and Peace makes the following statement:
The Felician Sisters Congregational Office of Justice Peace and the Integrity of Creation are denouncing the reprehensible executive order of President Trump in banning refugees and immigrants from predominately Muslin countries from entering the United States. Not only is this immoral according to our Judeo-Christian way of life, but contrary to the very principles on which America was founded. In the Gospel (Matthew 25) we are called to feed the hungry, help the poor, and welcome the stranger. The Statue of Liberty, states, “give me your hungry, your tired, your poor…” Both of these calls are betrayed by these bans. The disregard for justice, for creation and for peace shown in this past week’s decisions compels us to demand a review of decisions that disdain the common good and threaten to destroy our country and our world. Our society can only flourish by being built upon mutual respect, compassion and concern for one another.
Sister Marcella Marie Garus, C.S.S.F,
President of Villa Maria College
