Under the baobab: What we can learn from Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago roots
“We the people ... in order to form a more perfect union ... do ordain and establish this Constitution ... Article 1 – ALL Legislative Powers ... shall be vested in a Congress of the United States”
Happy Mother’s Day!
We are a nation where power is intended to flow from the people up through our representatives to a constitutional established government, not an autocracy where authority and resources trickle down from clotted oligarchical regimes. We are a country of communities, gather within community, democratically governing ourselves, while attempting to respect the dignity of all people. It didn’t start that way. But through the struggles of all our ancestors we have grown that way.
Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen on the fourth ballot during the second day of the conclave. At 69 years old, Robert Francis Prevost is the first Pope during my lifetime to be younger than me, by over a decade. Most probably he shall outlive me. He is also one of my “homeboys.” Truth be told, I am a practicing Catholic. I was rescued while running the streets of Chi-town by Fr. George Clements, only the second Black priest, and major pastor in the City. He used community commitment to rebuild from ashes Holy Angels (Our Lady of Africa) Catholic Church. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis at Selma. He helped tutor the young social worker Barack Obama.
Fr. Clements had all prominent Chicagoans like Hilary Clinton and Mayor Daley on speed dial. He made his bones fighting with both Archbishop Cody for the right to legally adopt children and the local street gangs for the opportunity to provide a decent Catholic school education for thousands of kids in Bronzeville, including me.
Though he was born a generation after me, Robert Prevost and I both spent our youth in Chicago, nourishing ourselves with the sultry summer waters of Lake Michigan, and trying to buttress against the “hawk,” the icy arctic winds, which stormed directly down from the north pole in winter. Growing up in Chicago toughens you while teaching you to appreciate community.
While yet young men we both immigrated. I, to the civil rights movement and Robert on his Augustinian road to become Pope. His journey followed his order’s core values of communal living, contemplative spirituality, and service to others, particularly in diverse ministries like pastoral care, education and missions.
I believe, I hope, I pray that he will continue to follow the example of his mentor, Francis, and provide a model of grace and humanitarian concern for those in need.
Around town
Congratulations to Reverend Ephraim McKenzie, who was installed as lead Pastor of the Unity Church of Jesus Christ. He as his wife, Shani, are the successors to his father and mother Pastor Emeritus Harold and Sister Sherren McKenzie. Bishop Derek Grier said in his pastoral charge that we should not let “broken people break you.” G. Andre Abdullah was the emcee for the ceremony. Also officiating were Bishop Courtney McBath, pastors Dan Nold, Adam Knapp, Rick Rannie, Rob Folen and Vernon Davis. Elders of Unity participated in the prayer and laying on of hands including Audrey Kharem, Diane Mixon, Duane Bullock, Gary Abdullah, Willie Barnes and Linda Wade. Pastor Ephraim returns home to our community after pursuing a calling in Virginia. In his sermon the following day he reminded us to say “yes” today with the same fervor as we did yesterday.
Congratulations during this time of celebration and commencement to Keya Ahrestani, daughter of Savita Iyer and Farshid Ahrestani. She and thousands of our beautiful young people will be graduating from PSU this weekend. They are the joy and hope in our lives. We are the people. We will grow as we always do through our “yes” to the struggle of our time.