FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 22, 2021

(New York, NY) The Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York (“OBM”), The Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, and the OBM/Divine 9 Leadership Committee, which is comprised of Catholic members of the 9 historic Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities, will host a timely discussion titled Black Lives Matter: Question or Statement? tomorrow, Friday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. on The Sheen Center’s Virtual Stage. You can join the conversation on Facebook and YouTube at Sheen Center and SheenTalks, respectively. 

Award-winning journalist and author Liz Faublas and Gloria Purvis, creator and host of the EWTN television series, Authentically Free at Last, will explore “Black Lives Matter” as it relates to their experiences within the Church and those of others—especially other people of color. Special guest Bishop Fernand Joseph Cheri, III, OFM, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will join the conversation to share his thoughts, as a Black man and a Bishop of the Church, on the topic of racism. He will share what the Church is doing, can do, and must do to continue to address this issue.

Colin Bereth, Esq. of the Catholic Anti-Racism Project, which is supported by Catholic Charities of New York & St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Harlem, will discuss the project’s recent activities in the Archdiocese of New York. Brother Tyrone Davis, C.F.C., Director of the Cultural Diversity Apostolate – Office of Black Ministry, will offer closing remarks. 

Black Lives Matter: Question or Statement?  is Part 2 of a larger, far-reaching discussion that began February 5 with a virtual film viewing and discussion of Facing an Uncomfortable Truth. This discussion is an extension of the 2021 Archdiocesan celebration of Black History Month with the goal of shining a spotlight on the historical context of the lived experiences of many Black people within the Church. These continuing conversations aim to help viewers begin a dialogue that activates change, demonstrating that without question, Black Lives Do Matter and that recognition of their dignity is foundational to the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

We hope you will join us for this timely and consequential discussion.

For more information please visit: 
https://www.sheencenter.org/shows/black-lives-matter-question-or-statement/

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