Americans are justifiably frustrated and angry with our outdated and broken immigration system. The problem is complex, and a comprehensive, national solution is necessary. The United States needs a fair, practical solution that addresses the underlying causes of unauthorized immigration and creates a new, national legal immigration system for the 21st century.

Pope Francis' encyclical letter on ecology, Laudato Sí, says all of the best and truest things that could be said about our place here on Earth, "our common home.” Pope Francis calls us to understand our role among the deeply connected creatures of God's creation. He calls us to lead simpler lives that are more authentic and less driven by consumption. Most of all, he calls us to care for the Earth and its people.

Since taking a corporate public stand against the use of the death penalty in 2003, the Clinton Franciscans have publicized state executions, asking our friends to pray with us for those on death row, for their victims, for the families, and for the citizens whose states inflict the death penalty. For prisoners who are scheduled to be executed, we actively advocate for stays of execution.

War, especially nuclear conflict, is morally reprehensible due to its catastrophic consequences. The use of nuclear weapons results in immense loss of innocent lives, long-lasting environmental damage, and the potential for global annihilation. The pursuit of peaceful solutions aligns with ethical principles, valuing human life, cooperation, and diplomacy. Abolishing war, particularly nuclear war, is essential to ensure a just and secure world for current and future generations.

Racism, both institutional racism, which privileges some at the expense of others, and the daily acts of microaggressions, hate, and discrimination by individuals, diminishes us all. While the 13th Amendment allegedly abolished slavery in the United States, that slavery has been perpetuated through criminalizing behavior, disenfranchisement, mass incarceration, and a so-called “war on drugs” that weighs more heavily on minority communities. It is time to dismantle these systemic, structural, and cultural realities of white supremacy. Racism calls for a transformation of the heart. We acknowledge our complicity in perpetuating the racism endemic in our country from its beginning. We look within ourselves and recognize how our white privilege has allowed us to accept the reality where some people matter, and some do not, and pledge to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.

Although trafficking seems to imply people moving across continents, most exploitation takes place close to home. Human trafficking can happen to anyone, anywhere, and takes place in all countries in both urban and rural communities of all sizes, but some people are more vulnerable than others to trafficking. Significant risk factors include poverty, recent migration or relocation, substance use, and mental health concerns. If we want to truly end human trafficking, we must work to prevent potential victims from becoming vulnerable in the first place.

Gun violence in the United States has reached epic proportions, exacting a tragic toll on lives and communities. The ease of access to firearms contributes to frequent mass shootings, homicides, and suicides, causing immeasurable suffering. This persistent issue reflects a failure to protect citizens and uphold the value of human life, necessitating comprehensive measures to prevent further loss and ensure a safer society.

Every person has a basic human right to an adequate income, safe and affordable housing, food security, affordable health care, quality education, and equal protection of the law. The moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. They have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. People are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect those most in need.