SOULFORCE, INC.
An Urgent Invitation to Our Dignity Friends,
The OPEN LETTER (link here) was received by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Friday, September 22, 2000. The letter describes why Soulforce volunteers from across the nation are conducting a vigil and an act of nonviolent spiritual resistance at the NCCB meeting in Washington, DC, November 12-14.
The letter and the actions described were carefully planned by Soulforce and Dignity TOGETHER. We are especially grateful for the wise counsel of Mary Louise Cervone (President, Dignity/USA) and Marianne Duddy (Executive Director, Dignity/USA).
Now, we come to you with this urgent request: WE NEED YOU IN WASHINGTON DC, November 12-14. Our dream is to have at least one person from every Dignity Chapter in the US in the front lines of our effort to STOP SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE by the Roman Catholic Church against God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered children.
Read the letter prayerfully and then decide. Come early on Friday, Nov 10, or Saturday, Nov. 11. Enjoy the nation’s capital. See the GLBT sites on Dupont Circle and Connecticut Avenue. Airlines are offering low fall rates. We have $99 rooms for four at the Washington Plaza or will arrange a room for you in a private home.
On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12, You’ll be trained in the methods of nonviolence taught by Gandhi and King. That evening, you will join Soulforce and Dignity/ Washington in an exciting Mass and Reception.
On Monday, Nov. 13, you will tour the Holocaust Museum, stand vigil at the National Shrine, and attend a Civil Rights Rally with heroes and sheroes (and gospel and civil rights music) of the 50s and 60s that will inspire and inform your journey.
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, you will stand in the front lines of our national press conference and then take your stand for justice at the largest Catholic church in all of the Americas. If you decide to be arrested, it is just a misdemeanor and a small fine. Some of us will stay in jail until the Bishops respond. But you don’t have to be arrested or go to jail to be an important part of this civil rights team.
The prophet Micah said, "This is the ONE thing God demands of you: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly!" Gandhi added, "Until you join in doing justice, you will never really know who you are or the power in your soul waiting to be released."
Registration and all events are FREE! Get the full schedule and other important details by pre-registering on line or by phone at (949) 455-0999. Pre-register even if you’re not sure you can attend. That way we can keep you informed every step of this Soulforce Journey to Justice in DC, November 12-14, 2000.
And thanks! We are people of faith from every possible faith tradition. We admire Dignity and thank God for your work. It is a pleasure and a privilege for us to join you in this interfaith, ecumenical collaboration to STOP SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE.
Mel White, Executive Director, Soulforce, Inc.
SOULFORCE, Inc., P.O. Box 4467, Laguna Beach, CA 92652
P: (949) 455-0999 F: (949) 455-0959 C: (949) 933-3592
RevMel@aol.com.