What Does an Inclusive America Look Like?

Part Three of a “You Are There” experience at the Summit on Pluralism by reviewing these notes submitted by Paulist Father John Geaney and consolidated in bullet points by Yours Truly. Find links to presenters and panelists for your own edification.

DAY ONE CONTINUED: Thursday 23 June 2023

BREAK OUT SEGMENT # 3 Overcoming Racism: The Role of Religion and the Faith Community.

Leader: PJ Andrew, Bahai. PJ Andrews – Baha’is of the United States (bahai.us)

Fr. Geaney’s Personal Note:

• To me, PJ Andrews seemed almost overwhelmed engaging in the Baha’i commitment to bring all faiths to confront racism.  Trying to bring interfaith religions together, particularly around difficult issues is an unsettling journey at least.

• For more information on Baha’i Faith, see: Bahá’í Reference Library | The Bahá’í Faith (bahai.org)  and Advancing a discourse on race unity in the U.S. | BWNS (bahai.org)

BREAK OUT SEGMENT # 4 PANEL DISCUSSION:  Pope Francis, Pluralism and Polarization: Opportunities and Challenges in the Catholic Community

Presenters:

John Carr, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Georgetown University, John Carr (georgetown.edu)

The leader of the session was John Carr, formerly the Director of the USCCB Office of Social Justice. He offered an expert overview of the Second Vatican Council, highlighting its successes and failures in living up to its vision thus far. (A transcript of his talk may be made available in the future.)

• For basic information on Vatican II see
•  Second Vatican Council | Description, History, Documents, & Legacy | Britannica
  • Why Is Vatican II So Important?: NPR

Kim Daniels, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Georgetown University, Kim Daniels, J.D. (georgetown.edu)  Kim Daniels offered an introduction to Synodality. For similar content go to: What the heck is a synod? Let’s ask Kim Daniels! – Where Peter Is   and  Synod on Synodality: Your questions answered | Catholic News Agency

Father Aaron Wessman, Glenmary Home Missioners Vicar General Robert Aaron Wessman, G.H.M. | America Magazine  Father Aaron Wessman, the Vicar General of Glenmary, gave an educated and thoughtful prognostication of the Synodality endeavor and future Church

See the links provided for each of the above speakers for examples of their presentation’s content.

DAY ONE Evening Dinner Presentation

Leader: Church of God Bishop Dwayne Royster of Philadelphia

Fr. Geaney’s Personal Note:

• Bishop Royster carried his bible to the podium and delivered a powerful sermon urging us to be more loving of each other and lead our people into a less difficult world.
• The audience was attentive and appropriately captivated.

This concludes Part Three of the Report on the Pluralism Summit. Scroll back to the top of the page and click “NEXT” for Part Four.