A Message from

Dr. Hugh M. Dempsey, Deputy Director

For May, the Center celebrates God’s gift of the earth to humankind.  In their Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics, Pope John Paul II and The Ecumenical Patriarch His Holiness Bartholomew I declared that “Christians and all other believers have a specific role to play in proclaiming moral values and in educating people in ecological awareness, which is none other than responsibility towards self, towards others, towards creation.”

In consideration of this declaration and in tribute to its namesake, the Center conducted an interview with Linda Winston, Ph.D., founder of EarthCovenant, a project dedicated to Pope John Paul II’s commitment to Africa and nations in need of help as a result of the exploitation of the land.  EarthCovenant helps to preserve the resources of Africa as part of the fight against poverty.

As part of the emphasis on the developed world helping Africa, the Center has mounted a new exhibit: Africa through the Heart and Eyes of John Paul II.  On display, reflecting the vibrant colors and designs of Africa, are a selection of vestments worn by John Paul II at Celebrations of the Eucharist in Africa.  Also on display are gifts John Paul II received.  Among them is a magnificent black and white miter adorned with cowry shells and worn in Nairobi, Kenya in May 1980.

Also emphasizing God’s gift of the earth, on May 15, the Center in cooperation with the Embassy of Haiti is launching an exhibit of photos of the Haitian landscape.  The photos were taken by Lola Poisson Joseph, wife of the Haitian Ambassador.

In the spirit of moral responsibility for the earth, we invite everyone to visit the Center.  Here, whether inside or outside walking on our newly renovated meditation path, visitors can find a place where they can, as John Paul put it, “not consume and have, but be and grow as a cooperator with God in the work of creation.”

Thank you for your kind interest and support,

Hugh Dempsey, Deputy Director

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