Charles Jenkins, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, has been searching for a different way of trying to reconcile the people of New Orleans who’s racial and economic divisions have been increasing since the Hurricane.
Jenkins is particularly interested in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission model.
According to the an article by Bruce Nolan carried by the Religious News Service:
“Jenkins said he has been quietly discussing the idea among colleagues since last fall. And although he said he thinks New Orleans badly needs to repair its social fabric, he is not yet committed to a particular plan of action.
‘An issue for me is that I don’t want to do something that’s going to do more harm than good, and I acknowledge that’s a possibility,’ Jenkins said before the meeting.
He described the reception his idea has received in private conversations as less than lukewarm. ‘Cool’ was more accurate, he said.
Still, he said, ‘We have worked on race relations in the city for years, and there’s not a whole lot of change. I don’t think we can continue doing the same things and expect different results.’
Jenkins said he has been quietly talking for months with clergy friends and activists about the idea. He brought the Seokas from South Africa to his diocese’s annual convention, where Seoka preached about reconciliation before several hundred Episcopalian clergy and lay people”
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