|
|
April 10
Contact: Patricia Harris
(805) 756-2582
Sister Mary Pat White
(805) 543-4105
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cal Poly Campus Catholic Center Director Travel to Afghanistan On
'Mission of Peace, Reconciliation'
Sister Mary Pat White of Cal Poly's Newman Catholic
Center was invited by Global Exchange, an international human rights
organization, to take part in an interfaith delegation to Afghanistan,
June 17-July 1.
Sister White is one of 15 members of the clergy who will undertake "a
journey of compassion and reconciliation to bear witness to the human
cost of war and promote peace and cooperation in Afghanistan," she said.
The delegation will seek to establish ongoing relations between
congregations and religious groups in the United States and mosques and
schools in Afghanistan.
"A key purpose of the delegation is to enhance cultural and religious
understanding and concretely support economic development and
humanitarian projects at the community level," Sister White said.
"Delegates will visit families devastated by 23 years of war, talk with
government and community leaders involved in reconstruction efforts and
hear from non-governmental organizations that are working on human
rights and development campaigns."
The group will also visit women who ran underground schools for girls
under the Taliban regime, and meet with religious leaders and
communities of faith to establish long-term relationships and explore
ways to offer moral and material support for community development.
"In this time of escalating preparations for war and intensified
religious conflict, it is essential that religious leaders like Sister
Mary Pat come together with other people of faith and conscience in a
concrete gesture to sow the seeds of peace," Sister White said.
Sister White is a member of a local committee that is exploring the
development of a sister city relationship between cities of San Luis
Obispo County and the village of Bazarak in the Panjshir Valley in
northeastern Afghanistan. "Participation in this delegation will
enhance my understanding of the needs of the people there and enable me
to contribute meaningfully toward the development of the project,"
Sister White said.
When she returns, she will be available to talk to community groups
about her experiences in Afghanistan.
Anyone interested in supporting her as she prepares for her trip, and
those interested in advancing the local effort to establish a sister
city relationship with the village of Bazarak, should call her at
543-4105.
- 30 -
|
||||||||