Not exactly good sports.CHICAGO--Just six weeks after their spiritual leader released a pastoral letter Pastoral letters are open letters addressed by a bishop to the clergy or laity of his diocese, or to both, containing either general admonition, instruction or consolation, or directions for behaviour in particular circumstances. on racism, several predominantly white Catholic schools refused to admit a largely black school into its intramural sports Intramural sports or intramurals are recreational sports organized within a school. The term derives from the words intra muros meaning inside the walls,[1] league. The Southside Catholic Conference, an independent league of 21 parishes from Chicago's South Side and south suburbs, initially voted against admitting St. Sabina School, citing concerns about the safety of those who would have to travel to the neighborhood--which is 98 percent African American--for games. The conference later reversed that decision after a revote, but the damage had already been done. And some parents still said they would boycott games at St. Sabina. Critics, including St. Sabina's pastor, charged racism. "It is very troubling that the board would insinuate in·sin·u·ate v. in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing, in·sin·u·ates v.tr. 1. To introduce or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) gradually and insidiously. See Synonyms at suggest. 2. that we could place their children in harm's way harm's way n. A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way. ," Father Michael Pfleger The Reverend Michael Louis Pfleger (born May 22, 1949[1]) is a Roman Catholic priest and social activist in Chicago, Illinois. Background A German American[2] told the Chicago Sun-Times This article is about the Chicago newspaper. For the Canadian newspaper, see Owen Sound Sun Times. The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago. . Pfleger insists his neighborhood is safe, although he has garnered much media attention for his crusades against drugs, crime, and prostitution in the area. Several years ago, his 17-year-old adopted son was killed by stray gang gunfire not far from the church. But fears about safety can blind people to the need to live together in a multicultural society, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I. of Chicago wrote in Dwell in My Love, his recent pastoral letter on racism. "White people might find themselves afraid in a black neighborhood, but blacks have even more reason to be afraid in many white neighborhoods." |
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