Nun becomes citizen just in time for Independence Day

Published: 2005-07-01

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- As one of the nation's newest citizens, Sister Loretto Emenogu, a member of the Nigeria-based Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy, planned to celebrate Independence Day, July 4, with special enthusiasm. Sister Loretto, who works with the Indianapolis Archdiocese's Catholic Social Services in helping resettle refugees, arrived in the United States in 1992 from her home in Nigeria. Her religious community sent her to study health care administration and nonprofit management. She was granted permanent resident status in 1998. On June 23 in Indianapolis, she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen. Sister Loretto continues to hold citizenship in Nigeria. She praised the country that she now calls home. "America is very, very generous," she told The Criterion, the archdiocesan newspaper. "America is such a godly country. America has a large open door for people to come in and have life and have it in abundance."

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