Leaders of Christian denominations from all over the United States will gather in Birmingham, Ala., April 14 to 15 to sign a response to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on the 50th anniversary of the letter. The April event is sponsored by Christian Churches Together (CCT).
Bernice King, a minister and the youngest child of Dr. King, will attend and participate in a panel discussion.
Other participants will include Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, who is vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Rev. Carlos Malavé, executive director of CCT; the Rev. Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners; U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.); and civil rights leader Dorothy Cotton.
“In taking up the challenges of Martin Luther King’s letter, we hope to enhance racial justice and strengthen our bonds with one another,” said Archbishop Kurtz.
The event is intended not only to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King’s letter, but to provide a long-delayed response from Christian leaders of Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and evangelical backgrounds. In addition to the ceremonial signing of this response, the event will also feature keynote presentations and responses, a prayer walk and a panel discussion.
More information on the event is available on the CCT website, christianchurchestogether.org.
