Sunday, March 7, 2010, 4:30-6:30 p.m.



Panelists:
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
retired Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa
The Rt. Rev. Gordon McMullan
retired Bishop of Down and Dromore (Belfast), Northern Ireland
The Rt. Rev. Hays H. Rockwell
retired Bishop of Missouri, former Rector of St. James’ Church, 1976-1991

Video footage of the panel discussion

purchase a DVD of the panel discussion

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s role in the struggle against his country’s apartheid regime, and in the subsequent efforts at reconciliation between the polarized populations there, are well known. Bishop Gordon McMullan had a similar impact in Belfast during the worst years of “the Troubles” with his efforts at reconciliation between Northern Ireland’s Protestants and Roman Catholics. Bishop Hays Rockwell, during his tenure as Rector of St. James’ (1976-1991), established personal and faith relationships with Tutu and McMullan, and the parish gave moral and financial support to their reconciliation efforts. Both men have made regular visits to St. James’. Tutu first preached at St. James’ in 1977; during his house arrest in 1980, children of the parish sent him “passports of love” to replace his confiscated document, and during his trial, parish lay leaders traveled to South Africa to show their support. McMullan first preached at St. James’ in 1981, and Rockwell traveled to Clougher to preach on St. Patrick’s Day 1982 at McMullan’s cathedral during the peak of the violence. Bishop McMullan has spent time at St. James’ every year since then, most recently serving month-long assignments as Bishop in Residence. The parish has also supported schools and other educational projects in both countries since the mid-80s.

These three great friends discuss ways a local congregation can be called upon to participate in global reconciliation efforts, and will challenge us to think about ways to involve ourselves through faith in the work of healing the divisions between God’s people.

This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. The church seats 900.