Sister Margaret Gannon, IHM, chair of Marywood University’s Social Sciences department, circulated an open statement reminding Catholics to oppose the evils of racism, secured the signatures of Marywood professors and several sisters from her order, then published the statement in a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s Scranton Times Tribune. The ad declares that its cost was paid by the signers.

Although the advertisement itself faithfully represents Catholic teaching and makes no mention of presidential politics, an article Monday in The New York Times suggests that the ad is part of an effort to recruit Catholics to support Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Gannon is a member of the Obama campaign’s National Catholic Advisory Committee.

A line from the advertisement says: “Here in Scranton, racist attitudes often prevent us from seeing all our fellow citizens and candidates for public office as God’s children.”

The organizer of the open statement, Sister Margaret Gannon, is the Chair of the Social Sciences department at Marywood University. In addition to Sister Gannon, several sisters from her order, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Marywood University professors joined in the open statement.