Sisters of Loretto

Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive [s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation of dignity". [Sisters of Loretto. [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/MissionHome.html Loretto Work & Mission] , accessed June 11, 2006.] Based in the rural community of Nerinx, Kentucky, the organization maintains chapters in 16 U.S. states and the countries of Bolivia, Chile, China, Ghana, and Peru. To conduct its charitable activities, the group holds NGO status with the United Nations. Strongly committed to social justice, the Loretto Community opposes nuclear weaponry and proliferation, advocates for migrant workers and torture victims of oppressive regimes.

History

Sisters of Loretto was founded by Rev. Charles Nerinckx in Kentucky in 1812 with the name Friends of Mary and the mission to educate the poor children of the frontier. The organization was later renamed Sisters of Loretto, who still later became part of the Loretto Community that included the Loretto Sisters, non-vow-taking members, and volunteers. In June 2005, the Loretto Community dedicated the Colorado affordable housing community of Mount Loretto, built in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Denver.

Organization

There are two tiers of membership: Sisters who take public vows, and co-members who do not. The Loretto Community operates the Loretto Earth Network, an environmentalist education and activism group. A Disarmament Committee lobbies against nuclear weapons, landmines, and militarism, and in favor of "develop [ing] a culture of peace" [Loretto Community. [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/disarmament.html Loretto Disarmament Committee] . Accessed June 11, 2006.] The Community also operates five resort facilities, (two in Nerinx, one in El Paso, Texas, and two in Colorado) which they use for spiritual retreats. [Loretto Community. [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/spirituality.html Loretto Education Committee] . Accessed June 11, 2006.]

Publications

The Loretto Community publishes "Loretto Magazine", "In Brief", a newsletter of the Education Committee, "Loretto Earth News", and the "Justice and Peace Newsletter". [Loretto Community. [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/publications.html Publications] and [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/justice_update.htm Justice Update] . Both accessed June 11, 2006.]

References

External links

* [http://www.lorettocommunity.org/ Official site]