Catholic sisters’ ‘Put the Guns Down’ campaign hits city buses

With the words “Put the Guns Down – Let Peace Begin with Us” emblazoned across its side, a Baltimore City bus proclaimed a message of peace May 22, as Catholic sisters from eight religious congregations gathered alongside it on Monroe Street.

The bus is part of a citywide ad campaign spearheaded by the Sisters of Bon Secours. Throughout National Gun Awareness Month in June, Baltimoreans will see the anti-violence message displayed on 40 buses, both inside and out – a $10,000 campaign funded by local congregations.

“All of us came together to have an ad on buses,” said Bon Secours Sister Nancy Glynn. “We support the archdiocese in its yearly gun buy-back too. Everybody is working together for the same objective.”

Other congregations supporting the campaign include the Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore Emmanuel Monastery; Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Province of St. Louise; Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart; Oblate Sisters of Providence; School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic Midwest Province; Sisters of Bon Secours, USA; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province.

For Bon Secours Sister Pat Dowling, who lives in one of Baltimore’s more dangerous neighborhoods, the cause is personal.

“I’ve witnessed people get shot. We can hear gunshots,” she said. “Innocent people suffer. Our neighbors find themselves in situations, find themselves in danger. It is not safe to walk at night. Anything we can do to prevent violence and encourage people to put their guns down.”

“Or not even pick them up,” added Bon Secours Sister Elaine Davia, who emphasized that fear is paralyzing communities.

“We are so excited about doing this,” she said. “We have to fix communities. People are fearful to go outside.”

The sisters hope the visibility of the campaign will spark reflection, conversation and action.

“There are different ways to relate to one another. What can be done differently?” Sister Pat asked. “They have to find ways.”

The idea for the campaign originated with a grassroots initiative in Ohio, but the sisters brought it to Baltimore to meet the urgency of local needs, said Simione Blanchard, director of justice, peace and integrity of creation for the Sisters of Bon Secours.

“We all have to do whatever we can do locally to reduce violence and promote peace and love,” said Daughter of Charity Sister Mary Jo Stein.

“We feel the cause is so important,” added Benedictine Sister Jo-El McCaughlin. “Anything we can do to make a difference.”

Email Katie V. Jones at jkjones@CatholicReview.org

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