Press Release: Commemorating Pope Francis and Advocating for Indigenous Rights
Date: [Today’s Date]
In a poignant reflection on the legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 20, we are reminded not only of his profound influence but also of his call to advocate for marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous peoples. Sister Beth Murphy, Director of Communication for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, expresses both sorrow and gratitude for the Pope’s impactful ministry, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the “peripheries” of society.
During a recent discussion about Indigenous People’s Day, Murphy uncovered striking statistics highlighting the struggles faced by American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. Homicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among AI/AN women aged 15-24—nearly three times the rate of non-Hispanic white women. Additionally, a staggering 96% of AI/AN woman victims of sexual violence experience this at the hands of non-AI/AN perpetrators. The Urban Indian Health Institute reported 5,712 missing AI/AN women in 2018, yet only 116 were recorded in the federal missing persons database.
Murphy draws attention to the urban Native American population in Illinois, which, despite being largely invisible, accounts for approximately 280,000 individuals—making it the sixth largest in the U.S. This demographic shift is partly a result of misguided federal policies from the 1950s that pushed Indigenous families toward urbanization, leading to cultural dilution and socioeconomic struggles.
Echoing the words of Mahatma Gandhi, Murphy insists that the true measure of any society is reflected in how it treats its most vulnerable. She reminds us that caring for marginalized groups, including missing and murdered Indigenous women, is vital for our collective humanity—a lesson central to Pope Francis’s vision. In his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel, he emphasized a Church that is actively engaged with the streets, encouraging believers to confront issues of injustice head-on.
As communities come together to honor the legacy of Pope Francis, it is crucial to heed his call for compassion and communal responsibility.
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