Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Some local religious leaders say it’s okay to disagree on things like immigration and other issues in the news, but it doesn’t need to devolve into hate..  Having started Wednesday, they’re taking to the street throughout the summer to send that message to the public. 

While they’re hot-button issues, ranging from social justice to simply helping the poor, the goal is to kind of cool down and at least understand all sides of an issue,  The Dominican Sisters will be holding what they call “peaceful public vigils” every Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m, accompanied by signs throughout the opportunity, one of which is pictured above.

It was the brainchild of Sister Marcelline Koch, who also promotes justice.

“For me, it comes out of our Gospel tradition,” said Koch.  “These would all be messages connected to our tradition as Christian — Catholic Christian.  These would be things Jesus would have been saying and doing in His life, and in what He would be sharing with us when He was on Earth.”

Immigration is one such example of what is being called “Catholic social teaching” being put in use.

“The stances in themselves — that we uphold immigrants’ rights and dignity — that doesn’t say what you’re supposed to think about immigrants,” said Sister Beth Murphy, spokesperson, Dominican Sisters.  “But, it gives you a moral foundation from which to approach the question.  And, we need more of that.”

The vigils, Murphy says, are designed to be more informational, and not so much that you take a stand.

“This is a chance for us to share our Gospel values with people, and to actually help educate people about how they can respond to what is going on in the world right now.”

Part of the inspiration came from Chicago-born Pope Leo, and words he used when he was installed.

CLICK HERE for more information on the effort.