Mercy for Justice
All Things Election 2024
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Social Justice Tag: Racism

A monthly series of in-depth, curated articles exploring Mercy's Critical Concerns and their intersection with current events and the work of justice.

December 2025

Articles from Mercy:

Local Justice News & Upcoming Mercy Events:

Justice Resources & Links

The Catholic Church responds to the threat of authoritarianism

Rose Marie Tresp, RSM

This article from America magazine challenges Catholics to examine the current, increasing authoritarianism in the United States. Authoritarianism comes with increasing threats to human dignity, to religious freedom, and to the republican constitutional order. What should be the response of the Catholic Church from the hierarchy, the religious organizations of men and women, and lay Catholics? Historically, the response to authoritarianism has been mixed in different times and places, including both resistance and accommodation. Dr. Maria J. Stephan, author of the book Why Civil Resistance Works: the Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, guides us in the article through examples of the Church’s response to authoritarianism. Then, Dr. Stephan outlines current resistance actions and movements in the United States today. Finally, she states that

U.S. Catholics have a crucial role to play in upholding fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms that are core to the Catholic faith. There are many ways to bear witness, disrupt injustices, and unite around an affirmative vision of what we demand for our democracy.

Dr. Stephan then recommends many possible ways that Catholics – the hierarchy, parishes, religious organizations and movements, and lay Catholics – can challenge and resist the current authoritarian movement.

“U.S. Catholics are facing an authoritarian threat. The church has been here before.” reprinted with permission from America magazine, published by America Press, Inc. ©2025. All rights reserved. For subscription information, call 1-800-267-6939 or visit America’s subscription webpage.

Dr. Maria J. Stephan co-leads the Horizons Project, an organizing platform dedicated to building an inclusive, multi-racial democracy in the United States. She is the author and editor of five books, including the award-winning book (with Erica Chenoweth) Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. She is a member of the Freedom Trainers and on the advisory council of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence.

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Post—COP 30 report

Marianne Comfort; Institute Justice Team

COP 30, formally known as the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was held at the edge of the Amazon rainforest last month. Participants in the international climate talks reported that the formal results were extremely disappointing. But they also expressed excitement at the energy generated by unprecedented numbers of Catholic and Indigenous observers.

Mercy Sister Rosita Sidasmed represented one of the Church’s territorial networks on a panel with cardinals from around the world. The speakers all highlighted some of the themes from A Call to Climate Justice and the Common Home, a document published by the bishops’ conferences of Latin America, Africa and Asia and promoted by the Vatican. She said it was exciting participating with Church and Indigenous leaders and meeting with the formal delegation from the Holy See.

The Laudato Si’ Movement delivered the People’s Determined Contributions (PDCs), commitments from over 2,000 individuals, institutions and communities to address the climate crisis. The PDCs emerged from the Raising Hope conference outside Rome in October to supplement the often-inadequate commitments from countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite pressure from all these leaders, the final text from COP 30 failed to address the core problem of transitioning away from fossil fuels, according to a report from Lisa Sullivan, a Justice Team partner with Maryknoll. Also, while there were many discussions about putting environmental and social protections around mining for minerals during the energy transition – both in the formal negotiations and in side events – that issue never made it into the final documents. The United States was missing from the delegations at COP 30, and Lisa named that no one else appeared to fill the role that the U.S. often took: to nudge the most resistant countries to accept modest climate measures. The most important development, she said, is that Colombia and The Netherlands announced a conference in April that will focus on a just transition away from fossil fuels.

The Mercy Justice Team signed onto a statement that denounces the dominant mentality that places mining and extractivism at the center of responses to the climate crisis. The statement came out of the People’s Summit, a parallel gathering outside COP 30. In part, the statement reads:

A just and sustainable transformation cannot emerge from the same extractivist system that caused the crisis. It must dismantle corporate power, challenge neocolonial dependencies, and redefine our relationship with nature based on care, solidarity, and ecological balance.

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Critical Considerations

The United States: global citizen or global pariah

Karen Donahue, RSM

Earlier this month, the White House released its most recent National Security Strategy (NSS). This is a document that outlines the nation’s security concerns, the administration’s plans to address them, and serves to communicate the administration’s vision to Congress and the public.

This NSS is noteworthy in that it reorients U.S. foreign policy relative to several areas of the world and seems to indicate a turning away from the kind of global engagement that has characterized U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War II. For example, there is much less focus on the Middle East now that the U.S. is not as dependent on Middle East petroleum as it once was.

However, there is an enhanced focus on the Western Hemisphere, particularly Latin America, with a call to “reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.” Like the original Monroe Doctrine (1823), the Trump Corollary “will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets.” However, the real goal is a “potent restoration of American power and priorities.”

United States intervention is already on the rise. Large numbers of U.S. troops are now deployed in the Caribbean, drone attacks on boats suspected of carrying drugs have killed almost ninety people, the president endorsed right-wing presidential candidates in recent elections held in Argentina and Honduras, and there are ongoing threats to invade Venezuela, a nation which holds the world’s largest petroleum reserves.

This NSS also undermines the long-standing alliance between the United States and Europe, claiming that Europe is on the verge of civilizational erasure because of its immigration policies, social safety net programs and strong regulatory measures. It affirms far-right parties and considers “the growing influence of patriotic European parties cause for great optimism.” The general tone of the document is “America First” with almost no regard for the dreams and aspirations of the other 95.8 percent of the world’s population. Climate change, the greatest threat to humanity, is dismissed as an ideology.

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Article Archive

2025

December

The Catholic Church responds to the threat of authoritarianism

Post—COP 30 report

Critical Considerations:

The United States: global citizen or global pariah?

November

Critical Considerations:

NSPM-7: Countering or perpetrating political violence?

Advocating on harms of extractive industries

Argentina y el avance del colonialismo / Argentina and the advance of colonialism

Countering misinformation

October

Critical Considerations:

Is it time to reform the Insurrection Act?

COP 30 in the Amazon & Raising Hope in Rome

The dangers of falsely linking Tylenol to autism

September

Mercy sisters call for urgent defense of immigrants

Social extractivism

Critical Considerations:

What is Posse Comitatus all about?

Everyday pilgrimages: the Earth is the Lord’s

August

Critical Considerations:

Are we doomed to a perpetual nuclear arms race?

Love and care of creation in local ecologies

Church document ahead of COP30

July

Critical Considerations:

What’s at stake in Israel’s destruction of Gaza?

Have you heard of Black August?

DEI—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mercy Life Gathering in Panama

June

Vampires, Sharecropping, and the Real History of Juneteenth

Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse in the Philippines

Critical Considerations:

What’s really driving border enforcement?

May

A letter to Pope Francis

Critical Considerations:

Is this really an emergency?

Trump’s attacks on women

April

The cultural battle advances

Critical Considerations:

What’s going on with tariffs?

Water extractivism in Palestine

March

Hope for Panama in truth

Deportation stigma in Jamaica

Critical Considerations:

Who benefits from tax cuts? Who pays?

April is SWANA Heritage Month

NETWORK webinar on U.S. federal policy

February

National declaration of emergency in Bajo Aguán

Critical Considerations:

Has the United States declared war on immigrants?

What energy emergency?

January

If you make a mess, clean it up! (Advocacy success in NY)

Youth claim climate victory in Montana court

Critical Considerations:

Was January 1, 2025 a wake-up call?

(click years to expand)

2024

December

Gender and climate justice

Critical Considerations:

Is the United States becoming a plutocracy?

Making nuclear weapons taboo

November

Critical Considerations:

What happened on November 5, 2024?

The Ecological Debt

October

Overturning the Chevron deference

Critical Considerations:

Who are the Israeli settlers and what motivates them?

Assassination of Honduran water protector deeply grieves Sisters of Mercy

September

God walks with his people: National Migration Week September 23–29

Critical Considerations:

What does CEO compensation say about corporate priorities?

Anxiety – election season can heighten it!

August

Critical Considerations:

What is Project 2025 all about?

Working to stop weapon exports to Haiti

Beyond Voting:

Participating in Elections, part 2

July

Critical Considerations:

Is there a better way to spend $91 billion?

Education, Agriculture, & Emigration in the Philippines

Beyond Voting:

Participating in Elections, part 1

June

Critical Considerations:

Are we creating a prison-industrial complex?

Conscience

Mercy student videos address the Critical Concerns

May

Critical Considerations:

Degrowth is the only sane survival plan

Argentina and the government of hate

Listening to a chorus of voices

April

Critical Considerations:

An Israeli Jesuit reflects on war in the Holy Land

Advocacy Success! Expanded Background Checks for Gun Sales

March

Military spending and national (in)security

February

The challenge Gaza war presents for American Jews

January

Gaza war threatens credibility of West’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law

2023

December

Climate Summit fails to adequately respond to gravity of climate crisis

November

Critical Considerations:

The dangers of conflating Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism

Red flag laws in jeopardy: faith voices speak to save them

October

Jewish and Palestinian perspectives on Gaza crisis

September

U.S. China tensions impact efforts to address climate change

August

When Good Economic Policy Isn’t Enough

July

States Move to Weaken Protections for Child Workers

June

Corporate Lobbyists at Climate Talks

May

Electric Vehicle Transition Challenges

April

Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery

March

Misrepresenting War

February

The Rise of Christian Nationalism

January

How the News is Reported Affects What We Know

2022

December

How Corporations Took Over the Government

November

The Independent State Legislature Theory Explained

October

The Next Phase in the Voting Wars

Local Justice News & Upcoming Events

Check back soon!

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Mercy Justice Resource Pages

Peace & Justice Calendars

View the current month’s Mercy Peace & Justice Calendar on our website.

Download Past Calendars
2025

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

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View last year’s grand prize winning video. (*Note: the contest themes have changed for 2026.)

The Mercy Justice Team needs you, a Mercy student, to create a short, social media style PSA (public service announcement) video – think Reels or TikTok – that reflects the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns. Put those creative ideas and video skills to work and you could win $500!

What does it mean to allow others to be fully human without judgment?

The 2026 contest theme is: Embracing Dignity and Respect. Through the lenses of the Mercy Critical Concerns and the Core Values of Mercy Education, use your video to engage one of these ideas:

How can we stand up with others or stand up for others?

How can we go beyond tolerance to embrace diversity?

To receive information, updates and reminders about this year’s contest, sign up here and we’ll be in touch. Click here to learn rules for entry and how to upload your video.

View the grand prize winning video from 2024. (*Note: the contest themes have changed for 2026.)

Purpose

For this year’s contest we are seeking short, PSA style videos (30 to 90 seconds) that are suitable for sharing on social media platforms such as TikTok or Reels. In an increasingly divided and polarized world, your video should reflect the charism of Mercy and connect to one or more of the Mercy Critical Concerns. Videos could focus on:

Why it is important to value or celebrate our differences

Encouraging support of oppressed or marginalized groups in society

A story of standing in solidarity with others

Contest Webinar

Watch our 13 minute webinar to learn more about this year’s contest.

Who Can Enter

Any student or group of students, high school age or older, enrolled in Mercy high schools, colleges/universities, or involved in a Mercy-affiliated ministry.

Use this tip-sheet to help you as you begin the process of creating your video.

Format

Read the complete rules

Length: 30 to 90 seconds

Language: English or Spanish

Other Requirements

1. Title. Each video must have a title. The title must be indicated on the submission form. The title does not need to be included in the video itself.

2. Credits. Credits must include the name of those involved in the creation of the video. The credits must also include citations for any images, audio, or text used in the video that is not original. The credits do not need to be included in the video itself, but must be included in the submission form.

The Sisters of Mercy may delete title and credit screens before posting videos on social media.

Entrants are strongly encouraged to use original footage and graphics as much as possible.

Important Note on Rules: In order to honor copyright protections, rules regarding use of images and music were updated for the 2022 contest and remain in effect for 2026. See the complete rules for details.

Deadline

All entries must be received by April 1, 2026.

Prizes

A panel of judges will use these criteria to select the winning video. Individual winners will receive financial awards. The Grand Prize Winner receives $500.

Winning entries may be featured on the Sisters of Mercy Institute web site and social media channels. Winners and their winning institution will be formally announced.

Interested?

If you think you might be interested in entering this contest, fill out this form to receive contest information and updates.

Past Winners

Click here to view all of our past winners.

These are some of the ways in which the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas will more fully live Laudato Si’ in 2025. To see the third year action plan click here.

Responding to the Cry of the Earth

The climate sustainability director will:

  • Estimate initial annual carbon emissions from utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, and water) and vehicle usage throughout the Institute;
  • Work with the solar installation company to implement agreed-upon solar and battery design for the Belmont, NC, solar array project; and 
  • Work with a contractor to stabilize the shoreline at Mercy by the Sea Spiritual Retreat and Conference Center to prevent future erosion from coastal storms and sea-level rise.

Responding to the Cry of the Poor

The Justice Team will deepen education and advocacy about the harms of extractivism to communities and the environment through: 

  • Engaging communities beyond the Sisters of Mercy in small groups using our Awakening to a New Consciousness on Extractivism resources;
  • Accompanying communities most harmed by extractivism, including through local extractivism immersion experiences; and 
  • Giving special attention to water injustices experienced by communities on the front lines of extractive industries, in partnership with Mercy Global Action’s water justice initiative. 
  • The Justice Team will organize immersion experiences at the U.S.-Mexico border to expand the number of sisters, associates, companions and co-workers who are educated about immigration policy and the reality at the border and connections between immigration and environmental and climate justice.  
  • Mercy Investment Services will expand and deepen the integration of environmental, social and governance investment strategies by:
    • Actively allocating capital to address diversity gaps amongst decision-makers and financial access within the Inclusive Opportunities Fund;  
    • Continuing expanding the emerging managers program supporting firms owned or products managed by people with diverse or underrepresented backgrounds; and  
    • Deepening Mercy Partnership Fund’s continued dedication to racial and gender equity as well as those that emphasize international opportunities.

Ecological Economics

Mercy Investment Services will:

  • Continue to ground our investment actions in seeking prophetic change in climate action and solutions;
  • Partner with other investors to engage corporations on water stewardship, greenhouse gas emissions, plastics use, biodiversity and other important issues; and  
  • Use our position as a faith-based investor to defend the rights of investors to choose investments that care for the Earth.

Sustainable Lifestyles

  • The Director of Climate and Sustainability will develop and update flyers to create awareness of and provide practical sustainable lifestyle tips related to meetings and events, office supplies and electronics, health and wellness, emergency management and sustainability on a tight budget. 
  • The Justice Team and Climate and Sustainability Director will continue the monthly Mercy Tips to Care for Earth. 

Ecological Education

  • Mercy Education System of the Americas plans to:
    • Revamp the environmental science course in its Mercy Learning Online program, specifically the water lesson, to incorporate resources from Mercy Global Action; 
    • Launch a monthly column in its weekly newsletter highlighting sustainability initiatives across Mercy schools;
    • Enhance sustainability efforts at meetings and events by being mindful of supplies ordered and encouraging participants to bring reusable water bottles; and 
    • Promote active participation in Laudato Si pilgrimages across the schools.
  • A Mercy associate in Guyana will socialize her guidebook and set of advocacy tools for communities to understand the risks of the growing oil and gas industry in her country, and that will become a template for similar education elsewhere.
  • The Climate and Sustainability Director will visit the sisters and staff to discuss concerns related to climate and sustainability as well as ongoing projects, and also serve as a resource for Mercy ministries and other religious congregations.
  • The Justice Team will invite Mercy high school, college and university students to submit short videos on reducing consumption to better care for earth and on the positive impact that women have in the world. The winning videos will be showcased on our website.
  •  The Justice Team will plan a blog series to highlight the ways in which sisters, associates, companions and co-workers are hearing the cry of Earth and the cry of people who are poor.

Ecological Spirituality

  • The Justice Team, along with partner Catholic organizations in the U.S., will promote and provide support to sisters, associates, companions and ministries organizing Laudato Si pilgrimages to celebrate the encyclical’s 10th anniversary. 
  • The Justice Team will promote Laudato Si Animator trainings to equip sisters, associates and co-workers to shift consciousness of their communities around environmental and climate justice. 

Community Participation and Empowerment

  • The Justice Team will engage in advocacy and education leading up to COP 30 in Brazil with partners from ecclesial networks (REPAM, REMAM and REGCHAG) and the Churches and Mining Network. 
  • The Justice Team will lead U.S. advocacy among congregations of women religious and interfaith partners to stem deforestation, address the harms of mining in the energy transition, and support environmental protections and climate policies.  
View last year’s grand prize winning video. (*Note: the contest themes have changed for 2025.)

The Mercy Justice Team needs you, a Mercy student, to create a short, social media style PSA (public service announcement) video – think Reels or TikTok – that reflects the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns. Put those creative ideas and video skills to work and you could win $500!

How do women impact the world for good?

How can individuals reduce their consumption to better care for the Earth?

What is a policy or campaign that could help people reduce their consumption?

Who are the heroines of the Mercy Critical Concerns?

To receive information, updates and reminders about this year’s contest, complete this form and we’ll be in touch. Click here to learn rules for entry and how to upload your video.

View the grand prize winning videos from 2023. (*Note: the contest themes have changed for 2025.)

Purpose

For this year’s contest we are seeking short, PSA style videos (30 to 90 seconds) that are suitable for sharing on social media platforms such as TikTok or Reels. Video entries must focus on one of these topics:

The Power of Women
  • Videos should reflect the charism of Mercy and highlight the gifts and contributions that women, either individually or collectively, bring to society.
  • Videos could promote the contributions of women, tell the story, past or present, of a woman or women engaged in Mercy or justice, or dream about the future for women in society.
Reducing Consumption
  • Videos should reflect the Mercy Critical Concerns, especially the Critical Concern for Earth, but do not need to identify the Critical Concerns specifically.
  • Videos should encourage actions toward reducing consumption either on the personal or societal level.
  • Videos could be inspirational or motivational, provide a ‘how-to’ process for reducing consumption or provide information about the consequences of conspicuous consumption.

Contest Webinar

Watch our 17 minute webinar to learn more about this year’s contest.

Who Can Enter

Any student or group of students, high school age or older, enrolled in Mercy high schools, colleges/universities, or involved in a Mercy-affiliated ministry.

Use this tip-sheet to help you as you begin the process of creating your video.

Format

Read the complete rules

Length: 30 to 90 seconds

Language: English or Spanish

Other Requirements

1. Title. Each video must have a title. The title must be indicated on the submission form. The title does not need to be included in the video itself.

2. Credits. Credits must include the name of those involved in the creation of the video. The credits must also include citations for any images, audio, or text used in the video that is not original. The credits do not need to be included in the video itself, but must be included in the submission form.

The Sisters of Mercy may delete title and credit screens before posting videos on social media.

Entrants are strongly encouraged to use original footage and graphics as much as possible.

Important Note on Rules: In order to honor copyright protections, rules regarding use of images and music were updated for the 2022 contest and remain in effect for 2025. See the complete rules for details.

Deadline

All entries must be received by April 1, 2025.

Prizes

A panel of judges will use these criteria to select the winning video. Individual winners will receive financial awards. The Grand Prize Winner receives $500.

Winning entries may be featured on the Sisters of Mercy Institute web site and social media channels. Winners and their winning institution will be formally announced.

Interested?

If you think you might be interested in entering this contest, fill out this form to receive contest information and updates.

Past Winners

Click here to view all of our past winners.

In our first U. S. presidential election year since the insurrection on January 6, 2021, it is prudent to ask questions about the safety of our democracy and the steps citizens can take to protect it. In this space we are curating resources for education and action in 2024. The following resources do not endorse or oppose any political party, candidate, or PAC.

Tools for Voters

  • Designed for use on college campuses, our Mercy Voter Reflection Guide helps young people, and all people, use Mercy values when evaluating candidates. Scan and share the QR code to access the guide on a phone.
  • The Voter Toolkit from Faiths United to Save Democracy will equip you to educate and empower voters in your community. A product of the Skinner Leadership Institute, Sojourners and the Center for Faith and Justice at Georgetown University.
  • Project 2025 in contrast with Catholic Social Teaching from NETWORK explores the important elements between the contrasting visions of Project 2025 and Catholic Social Teaching.
  • Election Protection-866-OUR-VOTE. Find out all you need to know about elections in 2024. Have questions about voter registration deadlines, requesting absentee or mail-in ballots, or how to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer.
Pray With Us

Please join the Mercy Community in praying daily for voters to consider the common good in their choices for national, state and local leaders; to treat with respect even those who hold differing opinions about the direction of our country; and to commit ourselves to a peaceful transfer of power after the election.

Let us be Mercy at this time through our prayer, rhetoric and actions at this time of potential national stress.

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas launched a Vote with Mercy initiative to encourage U.S. citizens to vote in the November elections and to consider a variety of factors and values in determining their decisions.  

As people of faith, we are called to witness for others. As Sisters of Mercy, that witness is expressed throughout Catholic teaching and in our Critical Concerns of immigration, nonviolence, care for our Earth, racism and the education, health and spiritual needs of women and girls. A centerpiece of the initiative is a video highlighting these concerns, available on the website and social media platforms and featured in advertising.

We have also produced a short video on guidelines for not for profit organizations and political activity by members of religious congregations.

Webinars

Georgetown University

The Experts’ Guide to Free and Fair Elections

Voting and Our Common Home: Reflections from the Catholic Tradition

Election Work

White Supremacy and American Christianity

PBS

Brookings

JustFaith Ministries

More Websites

  • Voting and Democracy, from NETWORK, includes a series of blog posts about elections and politics.
  • Vote411, from League of Women Voters, provides information and resources for participating in local and national elections.
  • Ensure Every American Can Vote, from the Brennan Center for Justice, explores voting rights issues.

Articles

Documentary Film

God & Country is a 90-minute film that explores the dangers of Christian Nationalism, featuring prominent Christian voices including Sister Simone Campbell and Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.

Learn more about the film here.

View a discussion with the producers of the film here.

Podcasts

Books

Raise your voice with ours!

Explore our current advocacy efforts and get involved.

Take Action Today

Join us as a Mercy Advocate for Justice! Click the “Take Action Today” button to the left. Each individual who responds to a call for legislative action or policy change increases the volume of our Mercy voice in the halls of power. Signing up online is easy and customizable. Alerts are available via email or text message. Advocates can choose to receive notices about a single issue or the entire menu of options. Please invite people from your circles and networks to join our efforts by sharing this link with them today: https://sistersofmercy.org/mercy-for-justice/action-alerts/ 

LCWR’s Transforming Grace: The Work of Transformative Justice invites participants to take responsibility for the personal and collective responses we can make in the challenges we will encounter during the national election period.

Student Videos

Each year, students at Mercy sponsored schools are invited to enter a Social Justice Video Contest and put their creative ideas and skills to work by sharing stories of the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns. In 2024, some of the videos focused on voting. Here are three videos that took home honors for this year’s contest.

2nd Place
Carli Amos, Aiden Arrington and Luciana Elliott
“Use Your Voice!”
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania
3rd Place
Riley Wichman and Angela Thiel
“Vote with Faith and Mercy”
Mercy High School, Middletown, Connecticut
Honorable Mention – Calliope Beatty, Malley Connor, Addison Foster and Grace Tronoski
“Be a Hero and VOTE with faith!”
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania