CHICAGO — Sister Pat Murphy, a champion of the native immigrant rights motion and a Sisters of Mercy nun, died Monday after dedicating practically half a century to activism and religion in Chicago. She was 96.
Born in suburban Skokie, Murphy joined the spiritual order of the Sisters of Mercy in 1947, assembly Sister JoAnn Persch. The 2 grew to become referred to as a “rabble-rousing” pair who spent a long time combating for immigrant rights in Chicago and throughout the nation. Murphy protested into her later years at immigration detention facilities and past, even getting arrested at america Capitol rotunda when she was 90.
Combining faith-based activism and political resistance, Murphy used the 5 essential considerations of the Sisters of Mercy — immigration, Earth, nonviolence, racism and girls — to encourage her mission.
“Her presence amongst us — steadfast, passionate and profoundly humble — embodied the very spirit of Mercy,” in response to an announcement from Mom McAuley Liberal Arts Excessive Faculty. The all-girls Catholic college in Mount Greenwood is devoted to the Sisters of Mercy mission and takes nice inspiration from Murphy, in response to its assertion.
Murphy, a number one determine within the early days of Chicago’s immigrant sanctuary motion, labored alongside Persch and different group members to create a Catholic sanctuary initiative within the Eighties in response to civil wars in Central America. Murphy supplied assist and safety for refugees fleeing violence from international locations like Guatemala and El Salvador.
Murphy and Persch used group funds to offer housing for refugees and based Su Casa Catholic Employee in Again of the Yards. The sisters lived at Su Casa with males, girls and youngsters who had been survivors of torture. Su Casa supplied newly arrived asylum seekers with housing and continues to supply a one-year residency for home violence survivors and other people experiencing homelessness.
Murphy’s unwavering dedication to activism and advocacy didn’t weaken because the years handed. She and Persch started visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) staging and processing middle in suburban Broadview in 2007.
The 2 visited the detention middle each Friday, when deportations used to often happen. Irrespective of if it was freezing or sweltering, they prayed the rosary in English and Spanish whereas inviting leaders from different religion teams to take part.
The 2 had a motto they developed over their practically 20 years visiting Broadview: Murphy and Persch would do issues respectfully and peacefully, however they’d by no means take “no” for a solution.
“She taught us the best way to wrestle for justice, loving all and honoring the God-given dignity in every particular person whereas reminding us that ‘we can not not’ work for peace and justice,” mentioned the Rev. Craig Mousin, a refugee rights activist. “Her indomitable spirit and clever counsel guided everybody.”
Murphy boarded deportation buses to wish with these on board and prolonged her prayers for peace to ICE officers. She protested and prayed for immigrants. She spoke at rallies and known as politicians. Even after getting arrested at age 90, Murphy continued her activism up till her dying.
Regardless of pushback from federal authorities, Murphy was in a position to proceed her religion and activism whereas making leaps within the legislative world.
In 2009, Murphy helped go a invoice within the Illinois Normal Meeting that allowed spiritual employees to entry detention facilities. The laws, referred to as the Spiritual Ministry Act, gave folks a glimpse into detention facilities, which have lengthy been off-limits to the general public.
“Our area’s and our nation’s immigrant advocacy group was hotter and richer with Sister Pat,” mentioned Fred Tsao, senior coverage counsel on the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Tsao labored intently with Murphy and Persch to go the Spiritual Ministry Act.
Murphy insisted the invoice enable for in-person spiritual care, resulting in the sisters’ common visits to McHenry County Jail. They finally expanded to 3 different detention services within the Midwest.
The ICE officers even started to get pleasure from Murphy and Persch’s presence, asking the sisters to bake and herald cookies for Christmas and New 12 months’s. The efforts didn’t diminish throughout COVID-19, when the sisters moved their visits to Zoom.
Then, in 2022, Republican leaders started sending buses stuffed with asylum seekers to Chicago. For Murphy, this was an indication her work couldn’t cease fairly but, at the same time as she obtained chemotherapy to deal with most cancers.
Following the identical mission established within the Eighties, Murphy and Persch based the nonprofit Catherine’s Caring Trigger, offering a furnished condo and different assets for a household of six from Sierra Leone.
The group continues to assist 17 households via mentorship packages, authorized assist and meals and lease help.
As Chicago continues to face the crackdown of immigration arrests, masked federal brokers and threats from President Donald Trump’s administration, Murphy’s legacy of steadfast dedication to humane immigration reform, together with the Sister of Mercy mission, stay on the core of Chicago’s sanctuary motion for activists like Tsao.
Murphy’s wake is 3:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at Mercy Circle, 3659 W. 99th St. The funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31, on the identical location.
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