Ecumenical Rally for Racial Justice

Ecumenical Rally for Racial Justice

Joliet, Ill. – The Diocese of Joliet presents a special virtual event, An Ecumenical Rally for Justice, on Saturday, June 13. The livestream will begin at 11 a.m. at dioceseofjoliet.org. The event is sponsored by the Office of the Bishop; the Office for Human Dignity, Justice & Peace Ministry; the Office for Christian Life, Ecumenical & Hispanic Ministry; the University of St. Francis; the Joliet Franciscans; and the Northern Illinois Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Diocese of Joliet invites you to join in prayer and reflection, and take a stance of solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters hurting from the sin of racism. A panel of speakers will call for repentance, a commitment to racial justice, and a new way forward. Speakers for the event include:

  • Bishop Richard E. Pates, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Joliet;
  • Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., President of the University of St. Francis;
  • Bishop Craig Purchase, Sr., Pastor of Mt. Zion, and Vice President of the Central Western District of The United Holy Church of America;
  • Nancy Schramm, OSF, Director of Mission Formation, Pontifical Mission Office;
  • Vincent Cornelius, Will County Circuit Court Judge and former president of the Illinois State Bar Association;
  • Elisabeth Roman, Director of Hispanic and Ethnic Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet;
  • Bishop Jeffrey Clements, Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
  • Lois Prebil, OSF, Co-founder of the Joliet Franciscan Anti-Racism Committee;
  • Pastor Kevin Comfort, Judson Church in Joliet, and;
  • Herb Brooks, Pastor of St. John M.B. Church, Will County Board Member.

Please contact Edith Avila Olea at eavilaolea@dioceseofjoliet.org for more information about this virtual event.

: :

Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

# # #