Published on November 4, 2013
CLERGY LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO DELIVER AND CELEBRATE THEIR COVENANT TO WORK FOR PEACE IN NEW ORLEANS
On Wednesday, November 6th at 6pm more than fifty congregations and communities of faith are coming together in the George’s Auditorium at Dillard University, to demonstrate their collective will and resolve to bring peace to the City of New Orleans. Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Imam Rafeeq NuMan, Reverend J.C. Profit and Rabi Cohn are among those confirmed to speak during the covenant signing. This event is open to the public.
This covenant, part of a larger effort called Cities United, brings a faith perspective to the struggle to address violence in communities throughout New Orleans and promote peace; it recognizes that we must address the issues that lead to violence at the neighborhood level. Faith leaders are working to bring congregational and neighborhood strategies and plans to supplement on-going efforts, like NOLA for Life. The Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Isaiah Institute, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dillard University and One Voice have also been instrumental in developing this initiative.
“Faith leaders play a pivotal role in our efforts to create peace in our city; they are often the front line in many neighborhoods where violence is prevalent. This covenant is a reflection of the unification of our city’s diverse congregations and we are thrilled to be a partner in this effort,” said Erika McConduit, Interim President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans.
Congregations and communities of faith have developed a vision, mission and guiding principles to lead them as they endeavor to formulate strategies to support peace efforts in the city by galvanizing the strengths and capacities of communities of faith. Faith leaders have been working to develop strategies to address violence that will be assembled into a comprehensive plan for peace. “It is our hope that faith based leaders will stand alongside other community leaders to usher in a model that essentially integrates the best of all efforts being put forth to stop the perpetual cycle of violence,” said Joe Givens, Executive Director for the Isaiah Institute.
The comprehensive plan will be submitted in December to Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, who will in turn present them to Casey Family Programs. The first and essential step in this process is the signing of this covenant.
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