Service & Justice

You have been told what is good, and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

It is an act of charity to assist someone suffering, but it is also an act of charity to change the social conditions that caused his or her suffering. - Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 186

On August 18 at 6:30 PM, the Center for Death Penalty Litigation will host a Chapel Hill screening and discussion of Racist Roots.  The newly-released thirty minute film chronicles the seamless link between the history of racial terror and today’s death penalty in North Carolina. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racist-roots-film-and-panel-discussion-tickets-388823149507.

A little background: the Catholic Church's teaching about the death penalty is a wonderful example of how the Church grows and changes as it 'reads the signs of the times' and deepens its understanding of the gospel: Catholic bishops in the US went on record against capital punishment in 1974 and issued a comprehensive statement on their position in 1980 (read it here ). But it wasn't until 2018 that Pope Francis directed that the Church's catechism be revised to reject the death penalty. Here is that text:

The death penalty

2267. Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.

Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.

Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.

In June, the Newman Catholic Community made an annual charitable contribution of $1000 each to three partner organizations on the PATHS of service and solidarity after the manner of Jesus. Our partners are:

The Durham Community Food Pantry: Through its fall and spring Trunk to Truck Food Drives, Newman parishioners contributed generously to providing nutritious groceries to local families who are experiencing food insecurity. In addition, this spring Newman piloted an online Family Care Drive for women and infants’ needs that are so often eliminated from tight budgets. For more information, visit: catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/dcfp-programs/. If you'd like to volunteer at the Food Pantry, you can also contact Newman parishioner Suzan Perry at suzandem@aol.com.

Habitat for Humanity: Newman students and parishioners spent five Saturdays this year at Habitat’s Odie Street work sites in Hillsborough. Their labor was supported by parishioners who sent out tasty and nutritious lunches for them. Since the end of the semester, a number of Newman students continue to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. You can much more about Habitat for Humanity in our county at: orangehabitat.org

Orange County Justice United: Through their participation in Leadership Assemblies and on Research Action Teams, Newman parishioners contributed to Justice United’s work for criminal justice reform, affordable housing and access to mental health care. Visit Justice United's website for full details: ocjusticeunited.org

Newman maintains a shelf - immediately to the right of the parking lot entrance - for donations to the IFC's Community Market. Leave your gifts there, and dedicated volunteers will deliver them to IFC. Thank you!

Questions? Want more information? Contact: BJ Brown, Pastoral Associate for Small Faith Groups and Service, at bjbrown@uncnewman.org