During the summer of 2012, Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, and a group of Sisters, together known as Nuns on the Bus, literally got on a bus and embarked on a trip through nine States to call attention to the devastating cuts proposed by Representative Paul Ryan in his budget. They never spoke out in opposition to Ryan as a vice presidential candidate. They did speak out about how Representative Ryan's budget went against the Gospel message of Jesus and the effect it would have on the poor, the elderly and those with disabilities.
Sister Simone found herself in the national spotlight when she was asked to speak at the Democratic National Convention. She used the opportunity to speak about our collective responsibility to care for one another, saying "I am my sister's keeper....I am my brother's keeper."
After the election, Sister Simone continued to be a voice for the poor and the marginalized, repeatedly calling for a budget that would protect them.
In the weeks after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school, she spoke out about the need for gun control. She was at the meeting Vice President Joe Biden held. She was at the White house when President Obama outlined his plan for sane and reasonable gun regulations. On Thursday, January 24, Sr. Simone spoke about gun control on Viewpoint
She has been criticized by conservatives who say she ought to leave the Convent. That she is not a "good catholic". Sr. Simone can take heart from the verse in the Beatitudes "Blessed are you when you are persecuted for the sake of righteousness." (Matthew 5:10)
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