Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Official Statement as of 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 3, 2010

     The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia are mourning the loss of Sister Denise Mosier and praying for the recovery of Sister Charlotte Lange and Sister Connie Ruth Lupton.  These sisters were involved in head-on collision on Sunday, August 1, 2010.
     The Benedictine Sisters are dismayed and saddened that this tragedy has been politicized and become an apparent forum for the illegal immigration agenda.  While grieving and dealing with the death and severe injuries of our sisters, we would like to re-focus attention on the consequences of drinking and driving, and on Christ’s command to forgive.
     The young driver of the other car will experience the consequences of his decisions through our justice system.  We sincerely hope this heartbreak will help him evaluate his decisions and give him motivation to make life-changing choices. We will continue to pray for him and his family.
     The statement of our Bishop, Paul Loverde, reminds us all - our faith gives us the knowledge that God is with us always and in all things, even in this profound sorrow.  He further stresses that the tragedies resulting from drinking and driving are avoidable.
     We are confident that Sister Denise is in the arms of our loving God and hopeful that the two injured sisters will be restored to health.  We are also confident that responses of mercy and forgiveness, though usually not easy, are not optional for Christians and are required in order to preserve and promote the dignity of life at all stages.