By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
More than 600 people representing the 50 states and 12 countries gathered Feb. 16-19 in California’s San Joaquin Valley to discuss how best to help the poor.
The U.S. regional World Meeting of Popular Movements, called for by Pope Francis, included a delegation of nine people from Kentucky.
The group included Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington; Father Joseph Graffis, administrator pro tempore of St. Raphael Church; Sister of Charity of Nazareth Julie Driscoll and Mike Kolb, a member of St. John Paul II Church.
They represented local movements and grass-roots organizations that address issues related to the poor and marginalized, including immigrants and impoverished communities in Kentucky.
The four-day event addressed these and other issues, including land, labor, housing and racism.
Cardinal Peter Turkson — prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development — opened the meeting by reading a letter from Pope Francis. The pope offered encouragement to the participants, telling them they help “communities thrive.”
Father Graffis, who is involved in social justice advocacy, said during an interview in his office Feb. 20 that the pope’s message was “incredibly powerful.”
The letter referred to building bridges that can “overcome the walls of exclusion, indifference, racism and intolerance,” said Father Graffis. The Holy Father’s letter also talked about the need to include people instead of excluding them and mentioned the Good Samaritan, who responded to need with mercy, Father Graffis noted.
During the meeting, participants heard from a variety of speakers, including bishops, as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hispanic and Native American speakers. Attendees also divided into small groups for discussion.
Sister of Charity of Nazareth Julie Driscoll said she felt encouraged by the meeting.
“It’s good to know that Pope Francis initiated this around the world,” said Sister Driscoll during a phone interview from California. “The fact that he convened this and sent Cardinal Turkson shows he has commitment and wants Catholics to act to bring about systemic change.”
The conference, she noted, served as an encouragement for her work on behalf of immigrants. She is part of a network that supports immigrants in the Louisville-area, helping to provide access to legal counsel and other services. Sister Driscoll said she took part in a rally Feb. 14 at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in downtown Louisville after learning that immigration raids were carried out a couple weeks ago in Louisville and Southern, Ind.
Kolb, a member of St. John Paul II Church, said the experience was “overwhelming and empowering.” Kolb serves on the board of directors of Citizens of Louisville Organized & United Together (CLOUT), “an organization of religious congregations and groups which work together to solve critical community problems,” according to its website.
“One thing that touched me is that, as I walked into the conference for the first time, I had a sense that I was personally invited by Pope Francis,” said Kolb. That invitation from the pope felt like a “calling,” he noted. “We have tremendous power if we listen to what Jesus Christ calls us to do.”
Working on Catholic social justice issues has helped him “connect with people and their personal pain,” said Kolb, noting that such service has given his life purpose. “It’s the reason I get up everyday. I used to be part of a church, now I’m living the church.”
All three participants from the Archdiocese of Louisville said they were impressed by a speech delivered by Bishop Robert W. McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego. He called on participants to become “disrupters” and “rebuilders” of systems that are keeping people from accessing what they need to survive.
“Being a disruptor is about collectively understanding what is keeping them (the needy) awake at night,” Kolb said. “One parish or one individual cannot change the system, but large numbers of people have power.”
Father Graffis said he, Kolb and Sister Driscoll plan to meet with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, give him a report on the conference and talk about what the archdiocesan response may be.
Father Graffis added that he plans to share his experience with his “brother priests” and encourage them to speak about Catholic social teaching.
