On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Catholic Sisters in the United States used their voices and their prayers in a coordinated effort to speak against federal policies that threaten immigrant and vulnerable families. The Sisters Speak Out campaign held a main event in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill, and held more than 25 echo events across the United States.
More than 50 congregations and organizations of Catholic women religious joined, calling for policies that promote economic justice and justice for immigrants. They emphasized that public policy must reflect the dignity of every person, especially those living in poverty or fleeing dangerous situations.
The Sisters Speak Out campaign was organized by the Justice Conference of Women Religious, a day that combined peaceful protest with public prayer. Hundreds of sisters, joined by lay allies and faith leaders, processed through the U.S. Capitol. Many carried banners or signs with messages of compassion and solidarity. Those gathered for Sisters Speak Out prayed the Rosary aloud, read passages of Scripture and used their voice to advocate for justice in national policymaking.
The Sisters Speak Out campaign opposed proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other safety-net programs. The campaign also stood against the implementation of harsh immigration measures, including expanded detention, increased deportations and policies that risk separating families.
While the day’s events had been planned for some time, the Sisters’ message took on added urgency in light of the budget reconciliation bill (also known as the Big Beautiful Bill), signed into law on July 4, 2025. This piece of legislation cuts funding to Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs. Many families in need could lose access to health care and food assistance as a result. This bill will significantly increase spending for border enforcement and mass deportation efforts.
At the echo events throughout the U.S., sisters hosted prayer vigils outside courthouses, government offices and detention centers. An echo event, organized in Eloy, Arizona, brought together around 70 community members, including Catholic sisters, priests, and people of faith, in peace and prayer.
Sister of Providence Tracey Horan, who ministers at the Kino Border Initiative, shares the reasoning of the echo event location at Eloy Detention Center, “We chose this location because in our conversations with people deported to Nogales, Mexico, we have heard dozens of recent reports of horrific abuse and neglect, including unsafe conditions and overcrowding, medical neglect and wrongful deportation.”
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and Mobilization Specialist for the Kino Border Initiative, Eileen McKenzie shared, “These are sisters who are doing the beautiful work and at some level they’re invisible like so many of our scared migrants are invisible as well, though not for the same reasons. So being able to come together like this, it’s beautiful to raise that voice up, and it’s coming from boots on the ground.”
Although the budget reconciliation bill passed, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which represents approximately 66% of Catholic women religious in the United States, reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy. In their statement, LCWR emphasized, “Staying steadfast to these principles in the face of powerful forces working toward contrary purposes may be one of the hardest challenges we will encounter—collectively and individually. The efforts to be the face of compassion and hope amid actions that create chaos and fear will not be easy. This is a time when we will need one another, and a time when we can lend our voices and our support to many of the organizations and people of faith who are laboring to bear witness to the dignity of each person.”
Even with the passing of this new legislation, sisters and allies continue to advocate, pray and organize to protect vulnerable communities.
Read LCWR Statement Following Passage of Federal Budget.
Learn more about the Sisters Speak Out echo event in Eloy, Arizona.
View photos from the Sisters Speak Out event on NETWORK Lobby’s Flickr.
Written by: Kennedy Cortes, FSPA Communications Associate
FNM – EEUU | Communications