Is recalling the past and reflecting our heritage a fitting way to celebrate America’s Bicentennial?

Over 200 religious men and women convince that life, liberty and happiness can be better extended to all through this country’s legislative process, participated in the week-long Legislative Seminar V in Washington D.C. Atlanta was represented by Sister Regina Birchem, OSF.

“The challenge of political ministry is to be fully aware of its complexities without being blinded by them” said Celebrant Henri Nouwen at the opening liturgy. He encouraged the group representing 32 states to follow the Gospel dictum to “Be wise as serpents and simple as doves.”

“Political ministry requires an informed mind and a caring heart; an acute understanding of tactics and strategies and a warm sense of the needs of the people we desire to serve,” added Nouwen.

Designed to give participants an experience of the legislative processes well as knowledge of issues, the Seminar provided the opportunity to lobby for just legislation in areas of food policy, full employment, military spending, national health insurance, criminal justice reform and foreign aid.

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Ma) addressed the delegation concerning foreign policy options and human rights. “Your (NETWORK) concerns for individual human beings, concern with moral issues, concerns with human rights here and abroad, are the same concerns that need to enlighten or foreign policy.” said Kennedy. “Power is a means, not the end of national purpose.”

Senator Robert dole (R-KS) discussed our domestic food policy. Congresspersons Bella Abzug (D-NY), John Conyers (D-MI), Margaret Heckler (R-MA) and Abner Mikva (D-IL) provided information and insight on legislation for women and the Federal Criminal code.

Helen Ginsberg, economist, Arvonne Fraser, Women’s Equity Action League; and Frances Harden, House Subcommittee on Equal Opportunity spoke on full employment issues.

Many speakers challenged the participants to help reorder national priorities. “Why are we spending our money on the military while food needs, health-care needs and employment needs receive scant resources,” said one sister.

Seminar delegates attended hearings, visited congressional representatives, observed Congress in session and participated in “How To” Sessions on political involvement.

NETWORK, a religious lobby for social justice that began in 1971 focuses on relating national legislation to social justice. This 2,600 member organization assists those who desire to make legislation more responsive to the concerns of all people –particularly the poor, the hungry, the jobless, the imprisoned.