Satement by Cardinal Bernardin on Death of Sr. Joan Sawyer in Peru, October 21, 1983

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
POST OFFICE BOX 1979
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60690

Office of the Archbishop

STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF SISTER JOAN SAWYER, S.S.C.

In reviewing the circumstances of the violent death of Sister Joan Sawyer, I join my voice to that of Cardinal Landazuri in expressing shock and condemnation for the brutal killings of Sister Joan and the eight prisoners at Lurigancho, Peru. It is indeed an atrocity which calls for an impartial and complete investigation.

Her life was spent in trying to root out the causes of violence. Her death will achieve that goal only when such an investigation is completed, fairly reported, and acted upon. We owe this to her heroic memory. I would ask our State Department to take every step necessary to urge that such an inquiry take place.

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin

statement-by-cardinal-bernardin-on-death-of-sr-joan-sawyer-in-peru-1983-10-21.pdf