Brazilian Bishop to Speak on Race Issues Tonight at 6 p.m.
February 06, 2008
February 5, 2008
Students, clergy and the public are welcome to attend a special
program at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25, "Building a Bridge in 2008," a
forum on contemporary and historical efforts to foster racial unity
in both religious and everyday life.
The program, sponsored by Saint Leo University Ministry, features
the esteemed speaker, the Most Rev. Gílio Felício. As Bishop of
Bagé, Brazil, the Most Rev. Felício serves as a spiritual leader in
one of the world's most populous Catholic nations.
He will speak at the new Student Community Center on University
Campus.
The Rev. Stephan T. Brown, S.V. D., director of University
Ministry, arranged this forum for African-American History Month
because of the important parallels between Brazil and the United
States.
The history of both countries includes the slavery of Africans and
their children. Slavery in Brazil was abolished in 1888, 25 years
after President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves from the
Confederate states during the midst of the American Civil War. The
advent of emancipation in Brazil so moved and gratified Pope Leo
XIII that he crafted an historic pronouncement to church officials
decrying the wrongs of human bondage and extolling the virtues of
freedom.
Today, Brazil's population includes more people with African
ancestry than any nation outside the African continent. An
estimated half of the nation's 183 million people claim some
African heritage, and census reports from Brazil reflect a
population of black, white and mixed-race ancestries. Yet social
and economic divides persist in Brazil, which is considered the
most influential country in South America.
Bishop Felício will be speaking in both Portuguese and English.
Admission is free, but seating is limited, so please call (352)
588-8665 by the end of the day Feb. 18 to reserve space.
Contact:
Rev. Stephan T. Brown,
S.V.D., Director of University Ministry, (352) 588-8331 or
stephan.brown@saintleo.edu
Jo-Ann Johnston, SLU staff
writer, (352) 588-8237 or news@saintleo.edu
