I was a volunteer engineer on a team that traveled several times each year to Haiti. We were comprised of engineers, doctors, nurses, etc. My responsibility was to oversee the building of schools and a healthcare clinic and work on a water pipeline.

On one of my first trips, I had to replace some PRVs on a pipeline. I was down in a pit, waist deep in mud pulling out the old valves when I looked up and realized that I was surrounded by about 15 men who were staring and silently watching me work. When I finished, the gaggle of men followed me to the next worksite and a few even volunteered to carry my pipe wrenches. When I returned to the rectory, I told Father that I had a bit of a crowd watching me and thought it was rather humorous... let me put this into context: I am a woman. So on Sunday at mass, Father asked me to come forward and stand in front of his parishioners. He explained that I had a degree in engineering and it was because of my education that they had access to clean water. He asked them to think about their own daughters and what they could achieve if they would allow them to attend school. Since then, Father has reported a steady increase in female enrollment and I have returned several times to attend graduation ceremonies and even to see a few go on to college. It was heart warming to see progress in this incredibly destitute and remote village and especially the change in attitude of men who often asked me if they could send their daughters to help me in my work.

I am not an overly religious person, but I do attend church and I believe with my whole heart that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Recent homilies have included discussions concerning equality, centered around love, but more so to show one’s love through actions. While I knew at the time how important it was for me to fix the pipeline, I had no idea what the overall impact this would have. My actions spoke volumes and gave young women hope.

As a woman engineer, I know first hand the uphill battle of discrimination. Both race and gender have their challenges. I never let this be a roadblock. I persevere. Attitudes will change. It takes time.

Truely impressive. Max giving back. You are a better person than I - lady Gunga Din.

Get yourself a nice cup of coffee sit back and relax. Here is our clergy’s response - 32 pages long.

My take away? Each one of us needs to look deep within and see where changes need to be made.

https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-act...our-hearts.pdf

Doesn’t really matter. The point is to continually work towards reducing it.

I was looking forward to the responses to your question but from what I saw everyone went off topic. Wonder if that means they have no idea what their clergy is saying. 🤔

yes!!

Wonderful! You make the world a better place. Now I don’t know if this guy came from the part of Haiti where you put in the clean water supply, but when my daughter was in kindergarten, her teacher was from Haiti. I’d like to think it was from the area you helped. And in kindergarten he helped her.

This is a leading question containing suggestive insinuations and asserting unconfirmed qualities.

My clergy would agree that these allegations are bogus and point out that is just another shakedown.

Even Jesus lost his temper now and then. He even cursed a fig tree.

That is how you change the world. I truly admire you.

In my church services you won’t hear any references to race, social justice, killing unarmed black people, violent protests, hate crimes, white supremacy, Trump rallies, election interference or any other topic that might offend a 99.9% conservative white congregation, you know the people who pay the bills.

What an excellent post. I much prefer your positive example to the condescending questions of some people on this thread.

I am not the person to preach to anyone. I happen to like and love a lot of friends who seek and find comfort in churches of every kind. I find their piety honest and their efforts to follow Christian teachings endearing. I am pleased that their use of the ten commandments helps keep the entire world heading in a good direction.

I don't think any of them support tele-evangelists or any other showmen. I don't know of any who say that their priest or pastor has the big house and fancy car. Churches have bills. Bills need to be paid. Many outreach programs churches have to help the truly needy (and some sneaky not so needy) have to be funded.

I don't like for people to diss others for practicing their religion that does no harm and much good. I worry about anyone giving money to anyone for almost any causes. I absolutely loathe go fund me's. I mistrust every parking lot beggar and freeway exit bandit.

BUT....All this flippant criticism for those who put their buck in when they pass the plate is a bit much for even me the tight person.

It is wise to be careful with your money. Always. Very careful. But there are many, many, many good communities that worship God together.

no, it asked what direction advice from clergy is taking in presenting solutions to the current situation. WWJD?

Mine say God bless our country.

Check out the history of Liberia:
A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia

The last time I was a member of a religious congregation, we had Rabbi Goldberg. What did he say? Doesn't matter. What did he do? He got arrested with Martin Lewis King, Jr. in 1961 for protesting to establish Civil Rights.

I'm good with that.

Ever heard of Liberia?

As for those blacks that "might" wish to return to the African continent, I know of NONE that would do so willingly. Why would they? Everyone that I know, including relatives are quite happy here, other than the occasional inference of racism when it becomes popular for politicians to use it like a weapon or tool. Many blacks realize that the product of slavery is their living a hundred times better in America than they would if they were born in most African countries.
Whites are accessories to slavery but not responsible for slavery (as everyone knows). You can no more cast blame on today's whites for the slavery of their forefathers, than you can blame a child of a black man that robbed your parents and may have murdered him, fifty years ago.
Reparations should be totally discounted, as there are NO victims alive. The person that stole my bicycle when I was seven was responsible for the theft, not his offspring. I do not demand restitution from the child of the criminal. Time to move on.

Racism is not a valid excuse for violence and destruction of property. Anyone breaking the law in a demonstration should be arrested and prosecuted, period. There is no excuse. Looting is another term for theft. Burning a building is another term for arson. Assaulting someone is a crime of violence. None of these crimes are excusable. If you believe that a police officer violated his oath of office or committed a crime, there are legal avenues for righting the supposed wrong. There is never a reason to destroy or kill to make a point.

My pastor does not speak of politics in the pulpit. He speaks of Christ's love for his fellow man. He does not speak of ethnicity in the pulpit, only Christ's love for all, including prostitutes, slaves as well as the rich.

Thank you!

I can tell you what my minister said about 20 years ago. Racist, bigot, prejudice are not interchangeable words. Being racist as it was once defined was to prefer one race over another and that is a normal human reaction. When it becomes “sinful” is what we choose to do with that preference. Racism has been in existence ever since the world began. It’s what we choose to do with it that matters. Don’t flame me, you asked what the clergy has to say.

The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy! It matters not what color or anything else. No matter how it’s dressed up n smooth over, we all will give account!

Little Experience
 

A large part of our citizens have not seen the real racism that exists in a number of communities. When I was young I was witness to the large KKK groups in Western Pa. I have also seen the KKK in N.C. My father was a Preacher for over 50 years and preached in small coal mining towns in Western Pa and Churches in NC where there was exposures to these groups. In some cases the role of the African American is believed to be based on some scripture in the Bible. This is true racism and is indicative of the difficulty that is faced in eradicating the scourge. We were never allowed to show even the slightest of racism and where possible to support the Afro-American. Having said this I prefer the small churches in our communities as you can rest assured the Preacher is preaching out of dedication and is not deep in the politics of the Church. What can he do? In one of my father's churches, once a year he exchanged pulpits with
the Preacher in the Black congreation along with the Choir's. That's a start. It's not what your Minister is saying it is what he is DOING.:ho: