Faith in Public Life Convenes Online Forums with Catholic Universities Focused on Social Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, 540-280-3393
John Gehring, jgehring@faithinpubliclife.org, 410-302-3792
Faith in Public Life Convenes Online Forums with Catholic Universities Focused on Social Justice
Students at Trinity Washington University (DC), University of Dayton (OH) to discuss role of faith in addressing climate, racial justice
Washington, D.C. – Faith in Public Life Catholic program director John Gehring is continuing a national tour of Catholic universities that launched in 2019-20 to engage diverse student leaders in timely conversations about justice for immigrants, racial equity, Christian nationalism and the moral urgency to address climate change.
Faithful Activism: Catholic Millennials and Generation Z Speak Out will highlight the powerful stories of young people of faith and provide a platform for conversations about religion, public policy and advocacy. The first two online forums of the 2021 tour are listed below. Additional events will be convened later this spring.
Trinity Washington University, Washington, DC
Black Women, Faith and the Future of Racial Justice
Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University, will give opening remarks.
John Gehring will moderate a conversation with students about race, gender and social justice. The dialogue will explore how students are responding at a time when white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and the leadership of Black women in politics and activism are making headlines.
March 4 at 10:30 am (ET)
To view: http://fpl.actionkit.com/sign/3-4-21-catholic-panel/
“I’m enthused to partner with Faith in Public Life to highlight our university’s commitment to racial justice and learn from our students’ diverse experiences,” said Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University. “Our nation is now having a long overdue conversation about white supremacy, racism, sexism and the institutional barriers that prevent us from achieving true equality. Our students have valuable insights to share as they bring their faith, intellect and activism to these urgent moral issues. This program is also consistent with Trinity DARE: Driving Actions for Racial Equity, Trinity’s initiative to support women of color entering professions and industries where they have long been under-represented. “
University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
Climate Justice: Faith, Activism & Protecting our Common Home
President Eric Spina will provide opening remarks. John Gehring will moderate a conversation with students that explores how the papacy of Pope Francis and the Biden administration offer new momentum to the urgent moral challenge of addressing climate change. Students will reflect on how activism plays a role in the struggle to address climate change, confront ecological injustices such as environmental racism, and how the lens of Catholic social teaching can bring deeper awareness to the global common good.
March 12 at 3:30 pm (ET)
To view: http://fpl.actionkit.com/sign/3-12-21-catholic-panel/
“As we face a rapidly closing window of opportunity to address climate change, it’s critical to listen to the generation that will be impacted by this crisis most directly,” said Vincent Miller, Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture at the University of Dayton. “The University of Dayton has made a comprehensive commitment to sustainability in its investments, energy use, research and educational mission. We are happy to work with Faith in Public Life to give voice to our students’ concerns and insights.”
###
Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.