Catholics in Chicago rally for unity, stand against racism

Published: 2004-05-10

CHICAGO (CNS) -- With hands clapping to gospel music, feet flying to Irish jigs and toes tapping to mariachi music, hundreds of Archdiocese of Chicago Catholics stood to proclaim their commitment to racial unity May 2. Crowded into the main gallery at the Chicago Historical Society, about 700 suburbanites and city dwellers representing all the major ethnic and racial groups of the archdiocese listened to a variety of music, prayers written by Catholic school students, and closing remarks by Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, before praying together to commit themselves to end racism. "Our theme was building communities of love," said Daughter of the Heart of Charity Sister Anita Baird, director of the archdiocese's Office for Racial Justice, who organized the event with the Catholics United for Racial Justice committee. "We wanted people to experience what it would be like if we could live like that all the time. I think we accomplished that."

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