RSVP
The Jesuits in the United States owned slaves.
In 1838, the Jesuits sold 272 men, women, and children and used some of the proceeds to support Georgetown University.
In 2015, Georgetown President John J. DeGioia established a Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation, which led to dialogue with and apology to descendants and key efforts to address the legacy of slavery and overcome racism at Georgetown, in Washington, and beyond.
On March 15 of this year, the Society of Jesus in the United States announced the establishment of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation, a collaborative effort among Jesuits, Georgetown, and some descendants to raise $100 million to help address the legacies of enslavement in the United States and its impact on families and communities today.
At a time of national reckoning on racism and dialogue on how to pursue justice, this Initiative Dialogue will explore personal, religious, and institutional responsibilities for the legacy of slavery and the reality of structural racism. Responses of the Jesuits and Georgetown University have raised important questions, generated controversy, and may offer possible paths forward for our nation and the U.S. Catholic Church. Key questions include:
- In light of the verdict in the Chauvin trial, what are obligations and opportunities for action to advance justice, overcome racism, and live out Gospel values and Catholic teaching on the equal dignity of all?
- What does it mean today for the Jesuits and the Catholic Church to have sold men, women, and children 150 years ago?
- What are the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities in owning this history, pursuing racial justice, and seeking reconciliation today?
- What are some lessons, directions, and dangers for the Jesuits, Georgetown, descendants, as well as the Church and nation, in accepting institutional responsibility for slavery and combatting the ongoing impacts of structural racism?
John Carr, co-director of the Initiative, will moderate this dialogue.
Participants
Cheryllyn Branche is president of the GU272 Descendants Association. She is the retired principal of St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School (formerly Xavier University Preparatory School) in New Orleans and is a descendant of Hillary Ford, Henny Ford, and their infant son Basil, who were sold by the Jesuits in 1838.
Joseph A. Ferrara is vice president and chief of staff to the president of Georgetown University and a leader in the university’s efforts on slavery, memory, and reconciliation.
Rev. Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J. is the president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States and is a leader in Jesuit responses to slavery.
Kim Mazyck (SFS’90) is the senior manager for engagement and educational outreach in the Social Policy department at Catholic Charities USA. She received her B.S. from the School of Foreign Service and a certificate in African studies at Georgetown University in 1990. She also taught in Glen Cowie, South Africa, as a part of the Georgetown volunteers in Southern African program in 1991.
Joseph M. Stewart is the acting president of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation and a descendent of Issac Hawkins, an enslaved person who was sold by the Jesuits in 1838.
On April 29, the day of the discussion, all who have RSVP’d will receive an email with a link and step-by-step instructions on how to join the livestream. This dialogue will have closed captions. For all other accommodation requests, please email [email protected] by April 28. A good faith effort will be made to fulfill requests.
