Current Events
Thank you Carol Zinn, CSSJ
CSSJ representative to the U.N. 
works on behalf of world’s poor
One voice, when united with others and fueled by Gospel
compassion, can change the world in which we live. The change may not always
seem earth shattering, indeed, may not even be noticed. But the result of
working from the heart on behalf of others gives witness to the power of unity
and the strength of reconciliation. The focus of non-governmental
representation in the United Nations is to collaborate on the international
level for the purpose of creating sustainable systemic change in policies that
affect the world’s poor peoples.
Through the connection to the U.S. Federation of Sisters of
St. Joseph, the Congregation of St. Joseph enjoys non-governmental organization
(NGO) consultative status in the United Nations. Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ from
Philadelphia, serves as the representative for Congregations of St. Joseph
around the world numbering 15,000 sisters and thousands of associates serving
in 57 countries. An NGO is any group of voluntary citizens who organize
locally, nationally or internationally around a variety of concerns. NGOs exist
for a variety of reasons, usually to further the political or social goals of
their members. Some NGOs seek accreditation with the UN to help further the
mission of the UN, which is keeping peace, building peace, and making peace.
The sisters are accredited members in order to help improve conditions for the
dear neighbor around the world, focusing on human rights, poverty, education,
health, women, children, and the environment.
Congregations of Sisters of St. Joseph have been accredited
since 1979, and they were granted ‘consultative status’ in 1999. The sisters
are asked for input on a variety of issues affecting economic and social
policies, in addition to receiving information from various UN departments.
This role is a logical extension of the sisters’ ministries to and for poor
people. With a strong history of offering direct services (education, health
care), the realization that these services demanded systemic change compelled
Catholic religious to engage in activities that could bring about significant
and sustainable changes. CSSJs not only teach, but also now can affect the
education policies for children around the world. They not only provide
immunizations at local health centers, but also are part of international
efforts to provide better health care in poor countries. They not only recycle
and conserve water, they help shape policies that can bring potable water to
those living without wells.
“This commitment to collaborate with others in participating
in the work of the United Nations is leading us to a deeper understanding of
our charism,” Sister Carol explained. “We are living our mission one
relationship at a time, one activity at a time, one decision at a time.
Together, we are creating a better, more peaceful world.”
In her role as NGO Representative for Sisters of St. Joseph,
Sister Carol keeps sisters and associates informed on international concerns
and activities. She connects with the numerous local Peace and Justice teams to
help them formulate actions on the local, national and international levels.
The information she receives can help congregations with determining socially
responsible investments or provide needed insight for talking with legislators
and political leaders about specific international issues. Additionally, Sister
Carol talks with sisters around the world to gather information about what is
actually taking place in villages, towns, and cities where the sisters have a
presence. She is asked to provide reports to various U.N. departments based
upon her findings and she relies upon the experience and expertise of CSSJs to
offer suggestions and solutions to very real concerns.
When asked about the effectiveness of participation in the
UN, Sister Carol enthusiastically and humbly shares what has been said by the
international community about Catholic religious who minister in NGO capacity
at the United Nations:
1. Women
religious serve all over the world.
2. They
serve in very demanding places and in difficult circumstances.
3. When
the going gets tough, the sisters don’t leave the difficult situations.
4. They
do much with very limited resources.
5. Whenever
sisters “come to the table” the issues are not about the sisters; the focus is
on those they serve, not on themselves.
“Religious life is not for self . . . it is for others. We
are in relationship with the dear neighbor throughout the global neighborhood
and we bring their needs and voices to bear on the issues affecting their daily
lives,” Sr. Carol explained. It is this focus on ‘the other’ that not only
gives credibility to their words and work, but it is the way sisters live their
charism. We live “unity” by advocating for human rights.
Her years of experience as CSSJ representative have given
Sister Carol amazing opportunities “to witness the intensity, integrity and
good will of those who work at the UN,” she continued. “In the UN,
conversations are about the world and the common good. It is enlightening and
inspiring to watch people who have no common language, who come from divergent
cultures with serious differences actually sit down together with a common
agenda and make peace.” She feels privileged and humbled to have had the
opportunity to serve in this capacity.
The United Nations and the Sisters of St. Joseph are blessed
by Sister Carol’s service to the international community and by her strength of
character. She has brought the Joseph family closer together by helping to make
global connections among the sisters, but more importantly, among the many
neighbors who serve and are served through Gospel living.
Sister Carol began in this position in 2001 and will
transfer the office to Sister Griselda Martinez Morales, CSJ, a member of the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon in the Mexico province. The resolve to appoint a
sister from the global south was a deliberate decision on the part of the CSSJ
Global Coordinating Committee. Conversations at the United Nations, as well as
other places of influence, often don’t include the voices of those who are most
affected by the policies and decisions made. Global South is a
political/economic descriptor for the very poor countries; the Global North is
generally representative of the more affluent nations. Catholic religious
orders (there are 50 orders of men and women religious who have NGO status), in
following the lead of their mission, feel compelled to lead by example and
offer this voice to their partners who are most affected by the decisions and
policies created . . . adding
political and economic diversity.
“My great hope for our future United Nations’ work is that
our own awareness is heightened by our presence there,” Sister Carol continued
as she reflected. “I hope we can deepen our charism within ourselves. I believe
we are becoming one. In fact, we are becoming our charism. Perhaps that is our
gift for the life of the world.”
