Detroit Archbishop Convenes Interfaith Leaders on Economy

DETROIT, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — At the invitation of Detroit’s Catholic archbishop, Cardinal Adam Maida, 12 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders will gather at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit on Thursday, December 4, to share how their faith communities are responding to the economic crisis in southeast Michigan and discuss possible future initiatives.

Following the closed-door session at 10 a.m.*, the religious leaders will hold a news briefing. You are invited to participate in this event. For more information, call 313-237-5943.

Interfaith News Briefing

Date: Thursday, December 4

Time: 11 a.m.

Place Sacred Heart Major Seminary

2701 Chicago Blvd. (corner of Linwood), Detroit

“The economic crisis, especially as it relates to the auto industry, is affecting all of our people,” said Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny, ecumenical and interfaith officer for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “Collectively, the interfaith leaders at this meeting represent 3.5 million faithful. Their coming together is an expression of solidarity and concern for the people of our region.”

    The following religious leaders will participate in the Interfaith Conversation hosted by Cardinal Maida:

    Hajj Ghalib Victor Begg   Chairman, Council of Islamic Organizations
                              of Michigan

    Rev. Samuel Bullock       Past President, Council of Baptist Pastors;
                              Bethany Baptist Church, Detroit

    Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi   Islamic House of Wisdom, Dearborn Heights

    Bishop Charles Ellis      Greater Grace Temple, Detroit

    Rev. Canon Lisa Gray      Canon to Bishop Wendell Gibbs, Jr.,
                              Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Detroit

    Rev. Oscar King III       President, Council of Baptist Pastors,
                              Detroit; Northwest Unity Baptist Church,
                              Detroit

    Metropolitan Nicholas     Greek Orthodox Archdiocese/Metropolis
                              of Detroit, Troy

    Elder Thomas Priest       Presbytery of Detroit (Presbyterian Church)

    Rabbi Norman Roman        Former President, Michigan Board of Rabbis;
                              Temple Kol Ami, West Bloomfield

    Rev. Mark Spaw            Trenton Faith United Methodist, Trenton

    Rabbi Daniel Syme         Temple Beth El, Bloomfield Hills

    Bishop Edgar Vann         Second Ebenezer Church, Detroit

*Note: The Archdiocese of Detroit will supply pool images from inside the meeting room. Photos will be available from: http://www.larrypeplin.com/Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit/. Video dubs on Beta SP and DVD will be available before the end of the News Briefing. Audio and video Podcasts will be posted at AODonline.org.

SOURCE Archdiocese of Detroit