CSSJ Representative Works on Behalf of World's Poor

Interview With Carol Zinn, SSJ

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 now can affect the education policies for children around the world. They not only provide immunizations at local health centers, but 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.”