Bishop Joseph Galante will join parishioners and interested citizens for prayer, a film screening, and discussion about fair housing policies and the grass-roots efforts that are underway to revitalize struggling inner-ring suburbs.
The event, “Our Local Communities: Breaking Down or Building Up,” will be held Wednesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Lindenwold.
Following prayer at St. Lawrence Church (135 North White Horse Pike), the program will continue in St. Lawrence Hall for a screening of one segment of “The New Metropolis,” the PBS documentary, which first aired in fall, 2009.
The documentary recounts the rapid rise of suburbs that grew next to urban centers following World War II, including Pennsauken, which is featured in the film, but which are now facing a crisis brought on by a diminished tax base, population loss, business decline and infrastructure decay. The film explores these challenges and offers solutions for revitalization.
The screening will be followed by remarks by Bishop Joseph Galante on the need for fair housing policies. Two weeks ago, the New Jersey Catholic Bishops issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of affordable housing and calling for housing policies that are fair and just, especially for lower-income families
“With concern for the dignity of every human person, we recognize the fundamental importance of fair housing policies as a matter of justice. For this reason, we have supported efforts to combat discrimination in housing against racial and ethnic minorities, people with special needs, and families with children. We believe that the exclusion of the poor and lower-income households through a local government’s zoning policies is no less pernicious than more blatant discrimination that offends our consciences and that our laws prohibit,” the Bishops said in their statement.
Residents from affected suburban communities are encouraged to attend, as well as residents from other areas that are interested in supporting and helping the affected communities.
“As Catholics, we look beyond our own interests to concern ourselves with the common good and the well being of our neighbors, especially those who are most in need,” said Father Joseph Capella, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. “We therefore join in solidarity to find ways to help struggling communities and to ensure that our housing policies are consistent with the demands of our faith. In this spirit, I encourage parishioners from every part of the diocese to join us for this important event.”
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