Agnes Bauerlein recently passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. You can read more about her life in her Inquirer Obituary. Let’s add to that Agnes’ own words:
“My personal acquiescent acceptance of the events that lead to a war in Southeast Asia will forever remind me that commitment to family does not preclude commitment to the rest of humanity or the call of conscience. So many years of bottled-up, unanswered questions finally erupted in February 1981 when I became closely involved with supporting the Plowshares Eight during their trial. Their example showed me that I must take responsibility for the world I live in and act on my faith, regardless of the consequences. They filled me with hope for the future. To realize that I had the freedom to act on my convictions was very liberating. I now can foresee a world for my children and grandchildren. I realize that the earth doesn’t have to be governed by fear and violence. I simply decided that raising and nurturing 11 children was too much of an investment to leave unguarded. In opting for a life without nuclear weapons, I decided to take action myself and not let the future of my family be decided by someone else. I also wanted my children to know that questioning authority is right and that acts of conscience should be the norm.”
Agnes Bauerlein, on her participation in the AVCO Plowshares action for which she was arrested, tried, and imprisoned.
A memorial Mass for Agnes will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia.
Donations may be made to St. Vincent’s Face to Face Program, 109 E. Price St., Philadelphia 19144.