In a conversation with a new reader of this blog, does that mean there are three 😀?, mentioned my reference to Pope Leo XIII's, encyclical Rerum Novarum, i.e., "Of New Things." Issued in 1891 it has been a marvelous guide to social action for the Catholic church ever since. That brought a memory to mind.
In my Davenport years I was the convenor of the Quad Cities Chapter of Bread For The World (BFW).That chapter and the local Pax Christi group were invited to participate with the Davenport Diocese, (Catholic) Social Action Committee in presenting an annual Pacem In Terris (Peace On Earth) award. Pacem In Terris was an encyclical issued by Pope John XXIII in 1963.
These groups meeting together would chose the recipient, someone who had made significant contribution to peace on earth. One stipulation of the award was the necessity of the recipient being willing to receive it in person in Davenport, IA. Davenport, one of the Quad Cities is a fine city but not exactly a world crossroads, When the dreaming turned to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, then active in South Africa, this was 1987, it seemed a distant dream.
The Social Action Committee of the diocese was not be deterred. Their status gave them access to Bishop Gerald O'Keefe. He took up the cause and when bishops call archbishops their calls get put through. Fortunately Bishop Tutu was soon scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. He arranged his schedule for a two night stop in the Quad Cities. The major event was held in the fieldhouse of St, Ambrose College, now University, a diocesan school...again the Social Action Committee's connections came in to play. It was my privilege to present the award.
Takk for alt,
Al
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