Tell the Vatican to Stand Up for Women on July 14th!

As you may be aware, recent reports published by the National Catholic Reporter revealed harrowing documentation of the sexual harassment, exploitation and even rape of Roman Catholic nuns by priests in 23 countries. These reports are yet another stark example of the global problem of violence against women that is the daily reality of millions of women of all ages, classes, races and religions.

Church authorities were formally and fully briefed on these abuses in 1995 and up to now have taken no public action to end the abuse. Vatican secrecy and inaction has only contributed to the humiliation and even deaths of women whose human rights have been violated by Catholic priests.

Over 50 religious, women's rights and human rights groups— from the National Coalition of American Nuns to the Feminist Majority Foundation to BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, Nigeria have issued “The Call to Accountability Campaign” to raise public awareness about sexual violence against women in the Catholic church and to hold accountable the individuals and institutional leadership involved or complicit in this problem.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

· Join us in New York City on Saturday, July 14. We will gather outside the United Nations at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, 245 East 47th Street at 12:30 p.m. From the plaza, we will march to the Permanent Mission of the Holy See at 25 East 39th Street, where we will deliver the “Call to Accountability” statement. Throughout the day, we will hear moving statements from speakers such as Yvonne Maes, a former Canadian nun who was raped by an Irish priest. Ms. Maes left her order so she could speak publicly about this tragedy. To symbolize solidarity, please
wear white.

· Join us in Washington, DC on Saturday, July 14. Campaign supporters will gather outside the Vatican Embassy at 3339 Massachusetts Ave, NW at 9 p.m. to hold a peaceful candlelight vigil in honor of the women religious who have been humiliated and abused at the hands of Roman Catholic priests.

· Hold a parallel event on July 14 in your own community. If you are unable to attend the demonstrations in New York or Washington, organize a demonstration, vigil or similar event outside your local bishops’ office, or if you are outside the U.S., consider demonstrating outside of the Vatican Embassy in your own country. Please share your ideas with us at international@catholicsforchoice.org.

· Sign and be counted. Log on to www.catholicsforchoice.org/international/what.htm and add your name to the Call to Accountability.

For more information on the campaign, including links to the original reports published by the National Catholic Reporter, as well as government and organizational position statements on the abuse of nuns by Catholic priests and further action steps on how you can take a stand for women, log on to www.catholicsforchoice.org/international/alert.htm.

Please share this email with your friends and colleagues. Spread the word by posting this message on your own website or in any listserves you may belong to.

Help us end sexual violence against women in religious life and in the world community!

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