As protests and rioting erupted across the United States in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Christian Brother Provincial Br Kevin Griffith addressed a letter to members of the Edmund Rice Network.
Less than a year ago Br Griffith wrote a similar letter calling for the promotion of healing and reconciliation rather than hatred and division and calling for the rights and dignity of every person to be respected.
The most recent letter acknowledges that little has changed in American society since then with violence against people of color continuing across the nation. It goes on to state that a point has been reached where it is necessary to stand up and be heard on this issue.
Recalling the essential elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education Br Griffith writes ‘Today, I am calling on all Edmund Rice Christian Brother schools in the United States to intensify efforts at promoting racial justice, at condemning racial injustice and at advocating for a just society that respects the innate dignity of all God’s children, especially people of color.’
He has also requested Province Advocacy Co-ordinator Sean D’Alfonsoto collaborate with the Office of Educational Services to develop a series of educational lessons for use in schools that will encourage students in their role in creating a more just society