Catholic Charities delegates discuss poverty, racism at convention

Published: 2007-09-21

CINCINNATI (CNS) -- Singing "This Little Light of Mine" and walking across a Civil War-era suspension bridge from Covington, Ky., to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati Sept. 15, about 500 participants at the annual Catholic Charities USA convention demonstrated their desire to lead the way out of poverty and racism. Echoing the convention theme, "Crossing the Rivers of Freedom," the marchers followed in the footsteps of numerous former slaves making their way to freedom. The final destination for the delegates, the Freedom Center, was named for the part the Ohio River Valley played as a stop along the underground railroad. "This is a wonderful way to end a day of discussion about the role racism plays in our society," said Shelley Borysiewicz, spokeswoman for Catholic Charities USA. Earlier in the day, Father Bryan Massingale, a Marquette University theology professor, and Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, N.M., led discussions focused on the Catholic Charities 2007 briefing paper, "Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good."

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