FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from the Eureka House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc., in response to the recent arrest of one of their former members

Eureka, Calf., September 13, 2023 -- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Inc. is a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns in San Francisco, California. Since 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, ministry, and promoting human rights through chapters worldwide.

In response to media reports of a former probationary member of the Eureka, California, house of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence being arrested for indecent exposure last month, we humbly offer the following response, along with corrections to some factually incorrect statements that have been made in the press.

The Eureka House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence unreservedly condemns the behavior alleged in police reports. We are a global nonprofit organization dedicated to community service, fundraising, and activism on behalf of marginalized communities. To have anyone associated with us accused of such behavior is an embarrassment and a blight on our name. 

The person arrested was in a probationary process to become a full member at one time but this process ended in October of 2021. They were not a member at the time of their arrest, as several media outlets have stated.  

We have a long and complex process for admitting new members to our order and we take every step to be as certain as possible that anyone admitted as a fully-professed member will not bring dishonor to our order. We have a Misconduct and Grievance Resolution Process to ensure that any member who violates our policies, or the law, faces sanctions up to, and including expulsion. Fully professed members are mandated reporters who react with diligence in duty to the law in order to ensure the safety of our community.

Without minimizing the gravity of this situation, it is worth noting that our Order is hardly alone among religious, political and  social service organizations in having former members who have been accused of behavior contrary to their stated values, often in much more serious and harmful ways, and sometimes working to conceal and thus enable that behavior over the course of years.

We offer our most profound apologies to the community for what happened and specifically to any individuals impacted by this inexcusable behavior. It is not representative of our Order, our values, or the hundreds of individuals who serve as Sisters.

We should also clarify that we do not profess hatred toward the Catholic church, or any other organization, as many have claimed. We stand for equity and inclusion and will unsparingly criticize those who condemn people solely because of their sexual orientation, race, color, religion, gender and gender expression, or national/ethnic origin. And sadly, that includes many religious and political organizations which have targeted the LGBTQ+ community. We are simply the latest in a long line of marginalized communities who have fought and sacrificed to ensure their dignity and rights as humans. We stand on the shoulders of giants and will continue to fight for our goal of a truly just, inclusive, and equitable society where a person’s worth is not measured according to another person’s faith.

The Sisters’ ministry began during the early days of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, when people whose faiths and  families had rejected them because of their sexual orientation were dying. We were among the first to raise money, provide support, and share safer-sex information in response to that epidemic, filling a needed void at a time when many government and religious organizations had turned their backs on an unfolding crisis.  

In the decades since, the Sisters have grown into a global Order of largely-autonomous houses which serve their communities. Our membership is open to all, and we regularly partner with mainstream religious organizations and individuals who share our values of love and inclusion. 

It is a mission that is especially important today, when legislatures are actively passing laws to restrict and eliminate freedom and personal expression of those with whom they disagree,, from the right of consenting adults to love each other, to any woman’s right to control her health care decisions.

So it is particularly frustrating for us to have to address this accusation of inexcusable behavior at a time when we know many are seeking any way to marginalize and minimize us.  We would ask our critics to consider whether all the current and former members of their own organizations are without sin before hurling stones at our entire organization based on the alleged behavior of a former member.

About the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc., is a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns who believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. Since their first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, ministry, and outreach to those on the edges and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity, and spiritual enlightenment. The Sisters use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency, and guilt that chain the human spirit. To learn more about the Sisters, visit their website, www.thesisters.org, or their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Media Contact

Sister Mary Magnalaid

Abbess, Eureka House

sistermarymagna@eurekasisters.org

Sister Rosie Palmer Partridge

President and Abbess, San Francisco House

rosie@thesisters.org