Diocesan Task Force for Racial Justice

James Forstall, Chair

• Phone: (217) 546-2107
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rev. Joseph Zimmerman, O.F.M., Vice-Chair

• Phone: (217) 228-5485
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Sister Jane Boos, SSND, Director, Office for Social Concerns

• Phone: (217) 698-8500, ext. 167 or 130
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Liaison Leroy Jordan, Coordinator, Black Catholic Ministry

• Phone: (217) 698-8500 ext. 168
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Mission Statement

• The mission of the Diocesan Task Force for Racial Justice is:
• To assist the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois , both clergy and laity in addressing the sin of racism in the church and in Society
• To provide opportunities for Catholics in our diocese to reflect on how racism touches their lives, and to grow toward a "change of heart"
• To facilitate diocesan religious action toward improving race relations
• To provide an opportunity to dialogue with other Task Force members regarding effective strategies that further the goal of promoting racial justice.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL I - to develop an awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity in the diocese

• Objective 1
  • To promote cultural diversity with our diocesan youth

• Objective 2
  • To offer presentations and raise awareness on racism on the diocesan level

• Objective 3
  • To offer cultural diversity workshops in parishes, deaneries and communities

GOAL II - To educate our youth on the church's teaching on the sin of racism

• Objective 1
  • To continue and expand programs for diocesan youth

• Objective 2
  • To promote training of persons engaged in cultural diversity education

Father Augustus Tolton 1854-1897 The nation's and the Diocese's first black priest

GOAL III - To promote the celebration of the life of Father Augustus Tolton

• Objective 1
  • To share the story of Tolton with schools.

• Objective 2
  • To share the Black Catholic History Exhibit

GOAL IV - To develop specific actions that promote the dignity of the human person by addressing social justice issues

• Objective 1
  • To continue encouraging church leadership to be inclusive in hiring and in choosing committees, task forces and committee members.

• Objective 2
  • To collect information and statistics about "positive actions" that have occurred in our diocese.

• Objective 3
  • To develop informal groups that allow persons of different cultures to socialize together.

• Objective 4
  • To provide opportunities where people of different cultures can discuss issues of conflict.

• Objective 5
  • To continue encouraging church leadership to invite people of color to be servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers