Born: 1942 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Died: 2021
Janice McLaughlin MM (February 13, 1942 March 7, 2021) was an American Catholic nun, missionary, and human rights activist. She was known for her courageous efforts in exposing human rights violations and fighting for justice, particularly during her time in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the 1970s.
Born on February 13, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Janice McLaughlin was the daughter of Paul McLaughlin and Mary Schaub. She attended St. Lawrence High School and later studied at the College of Saint Mary of the Springs in Columbus, Ohio, before entering religious life with the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic in Ossining, New York. The Maryknoll Sisters, founded in 1912, were the first American congregation of Roman Catholic nuns dedicated to overseas missions.
After making her first progression of vows in New York in 1964, McLaughlin embarked on a remarkable religious career and mission work. She spent almost forty years as a missionary in Africa, primarily in Rhodesia. She arrived in Rhodesia in 1977, during the tumultuous Rhodesian Bush War, a time when black nationalists were fighting to overthrow the white minority apartheid government led by Prime Minister Ian Smith.
McLaughlin’s work as a missionary in Africa was multifaceted. In Kenya, she served as a communications coordinator for the Catholic Church, where she trained journalists and broadcasters, established diocesan newspapers, produced radio and television programs, and drafted public statements for bishops. Her dedication to promoting justice and peace led her to join the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, a non-governmental organization that actively opposed the apartheid government.
In her role as the press secretary for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, McLaughlin played a crucial role in exposing human rights abuses and atrocities committed against the country’s black citizens. She fearlessly documented and publicized incidents of torture, assassinations of Catholic clergy, and the forced resettlement of hundreds of thousands of black citizens. Her work shed light on the systemic injustice and discrimination faced by the black population.
McLaughlin’s relentless pursuit of justice came at a great personal cost. Just three months after her arrival in Rhodesia, she was arrested by the white minority government. She was charged with being a Marxist and imprisoned for her activism. McLaughlin was subjected to solitary confinement and endured harsh conditions during her confinement. However, her plight gained international attention, and through the intervention of the Vatican and the United States federal government, she was eventually deported back to the United States.
Undeterred by her ordeal, McLaughlin returned to Zimbabwe two years later, after the country gained independence and was renamed Zimbabwe. This time, she came at the request of Prime Minister Robert Mugabe to help establish an educational system in the newly formed nation. McLaughlin recognized the importance of education in empowering the marginalized and advocating for social justice.
In her later years, Janice McLaughlin served as the president of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic in New York. She continued her activism, particularly in combating human trafficking. Her commitment to fighting for the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals extended beyond Africa to a global scale.
Throughout her life, McLaughlin received numerous awards and recognitions for her tireless dedication to human rights and social justice. Her bravery and accomplishments were acknowledged by organizations and institutions that recognized the impact of her work. Although specific awards and recognitions are not mentioned in the available information, Janice McLaughlin’s legacy is a testament to her unwavering commitment to fighting injustice and inspiring others to make a positive difference in the world.