Catholic University of America honors Sister Prejean

Published: 2003-11-07

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Sister Helen Prejean urged students at The Catholic University of America Oct. 31 to begin a "deep reflection" on the U.S. culture that has responded with a call to arms to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. "We have a penchant for sending in the military," said the Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille. "When we have social problems, we handle them with violence. We've got to start reflecting on that," she added. "We need to do deep reflection." Addressing more than 320 students, faculty and staff, Sister Prejean also discussed the death penalty and her book on the topic, "Dead Man Walking." Her second book on the death penalty is to be published next August. Later that day, Sister Prejean received the James Cardinal Gibbons Medal, the highest honor of Catholic University's alumni association. Although she is not an alumna of the university, Sister Prejean's father graduated in 1925 from its law school.

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