Archbishop Kurtz taking part in 50th anniversary of MLK letter

WASHINGTON—Leaders of Christian denominations from around the United States will gather in Birmingham, Ala., April 14-15 to sign a response to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on the 50th anniversary of the letter.

The April 14-15 event is sponsored by Christian Churches Together (CCT). Bernice King, a minister and the youngest child of Dr. King, will attend and participate in a panel discussion.

Other participants will include Rev. Carlos Malavé, executive director of CCT, Rev. Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, U.S. Rep John Lewis (D-Ga.), Civil Rights leader Dorothy Cotton, and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of the Archdiocese Louisville, who is vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“In taking up the challenges of Martin Luther King’s letter, we hope to enhance racial justice and strengthen our bonds with one another,” said Archbishop Kurtz, formerly bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville.

The event is intended not only to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King’s letter, but to provide a long-delayed response from Christian leaders of Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Evangelical backgrounds. In addition to the ceremonial signing of this response, the event also will feature keynote presentations and responses, a prayer walk and a panel discussion.

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