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OSCAR ROMERO SOLIDARITY LECTURE

The Center for Peace and Justice Education hosts an annual lecture inspired by Oscar Romero—archbishop, martyr, and saint. 

The Center for Peace and Justice Education hosts an annual lecture inspired by Oscar Romero—archbishop, martyr, and saint.  Romero came to realize the extent of the Salvadoran people’s suffering and became a voice for the voiceless.  The lecture series brings to campus someone committed to justice for and solidarity with the poor and marginalized. Past speakers have included Carolyn DeWitt (Rock the Vote), Octavio Duran OFM, Sheila Armstrong and Davide Mosenkis (POWER Interfaith), Jim Keady, Hisham Moharram (Good Tree Farm), the Rev. Michael Doyle (Sacred Heart Parish in Camden), and Mary Beth Appel (Catholic Worker House of Grace)

2025 LECTURE

"Solidarity and Resistance at the Border: The Prophetic Cost of Mercy"

 

Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ

Sr. Norma and People

Thursday, March 27 | 7-8:30 pm | St. Thomas of ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Church

Sister Norma has become one of the most recognized leaders in our nation today. As Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, she oversees the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville, the second largest Catholic Diocese in the United States. Sister Pimentel has over twenty years of experience in providing oversight to a diverse set of ministries and social services in the Rio Grande Valley such as homeless prevention, disaster relief, clinical counseling, pregnancy care, food assistance, and humanitarian relief to immigrants. 

In 2014, during the influx of immigrants entering the United States through the Southern Border, Sister Pimentel with the support of the local community established the Humanitarian Respite Center, providing a safe space for immigrants to rest before continuing their journey to other parts of the United States. Ten years later, the Humanitarian Respite Center has become the largest respite center in our country, welcoming over half a million immigrants in the course of ten years. More than just providing immediate humanitarian care, Sister Pimentel has become a voice for immigrant families reminding us that they are not numbers but rather human beings who should be respected and treated with dignity.


2024: Carolyn Forché

2023:

2022: Roz Pichardo 

2021

2020:

2019: Brother Octavio Duran

2018

2017

2016

2014:

2012

  

The Center often records their events, making them accessible to the wider community. You can watch them on YouTube.

¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University
Center for Peace and Justice Education
St. Rita Hall, 106
800 Lancaster Ave., ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥, PA 19085

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MISSION AND MINISTRY

The Center for Peace and Justice Education is closely integrated with the Office for Mission and Ministry and its departments, programs and initiatives.