Friday, November 15, 2019
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM EST
This webinar features the story of the Jesuits who owned slaves. They sold 272 enslaved people in 1838 to save the financially distressed Georgetown University. Hear this remarkable story and the efforts towards truth, racial healing, and transformation from two people on this journey together. This is the third webinar in a series on implementing the USCCB Pastoral Letter – Open Wide Our Hearts.
This webinar is offered in collaboration by the Catholic Mobilizing Network, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, the United States Catholic Mission Association, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Panelists:
Cheryllyn M. Branche is Co-Chair of the GU272 Foundation Leadership Committee. She is a 4th generation granddaughter of Hillary and Henrietta Ford, Jesuit enslaved parents of Basile Ford, Cheryllyn’s maternal great grandfather. A retired principal of Xavier University Preparatory in New Orleans, she is President of the GU272 Descendants Association. Cheryllyn also serves as Coordinator for the Parish School of Religion, and on the Parish Council, for St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church.
Fr. Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J., is the President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, headquartered in D.C., that promotes common goals and oversees international projects for the Society of Jesus. As President, Fr. Kesicki works with the Jesuit Provincials in implementing programs, represents the Conference internationally and serves as the religious superior of two schools of theology. He serves on the boards of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and America Magazine. At the historic Liturgy of Remembrance, Contrition, and Hope (April 18, 2017) at Georgetown University, Fr. Tim confessed, on behalf of the Society of Jesus, to the sin of owning and selling slaves to their descendants.
