Archbishop Robert J. Carlson recently announced the appointment of 27 men and women who will serve on the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Peace and Justice Commission.
The commission was originally announced at a Mass in August 2014, when Archbishop Robert J. Carlson declared his intention to address societal issues through the new commission, such as family breakdown, poverty, racial tension, and lack of education. The commission will develop its priorities by looking at how issues affecting our region specifically impact the family.
Five commission members are African-American: Felicia Jones, federal public defender; Thomas Miller, Edward Jones resource analyst; Barbara A. Morrow, director of business services, Harris-Stowe State University; Jason Q. Purnell, assistant professor, Washington University School of Social Work Studies, Public Health and Health Disparities; and Joseph Worth, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs, St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley.
Marie Kenyon took her post as director this past January. Prior to her appointment, Kenyon was the managing attorney of Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry, which serves the legal needs of low-income clients throughout the archdiocese.
Other commission members include:
- Fr. Don Anstoetter, adjunct professor, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
- Fr. Michael Boehm , vicar for priests, Archdiocese of St. Louis
- Ray Boshara, senior advisor and director of the Center for Household Financial Stability, Federal Reserve Bank
- Patrick E. Carron, president/CEO, Perry County Memorial Hospital
- Christine Chadwick, former executive director, FOCUS St. Louis
- Fr. Christopher Collins, SJ , director, Catholic studies program; assistant professor, Theological Studies, Saint Louis University
- Angel O. Costa, real estate investor
- Sr. Cathy Doherty, SSND, pastoral associate, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
- Deacon John Heithaus, chief development officer, Family Resource Center
- Jessica Hoskins, criminal defense attorney
- Capt. Daniel Howard, commander, 4th District, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
- Chief Direk L. Hunt, Perryville Police Department
- Thomas J. Irwin, executive director, Civic Progress
- Dr. Barbara A. Lutey, assistant professor of medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
- Nancy J. McCarthy, regional administrator, Board of Probation and Parole, Missouri Department of Corrections
- Sr. Ellen Orf, CPPS, general councilor, Sisters of the Most Precious Blood
- Sr. Christian Price, ASCJ, director of faith formation, St. Alban Roe Parish
- Peter Salsich Jr., professor emeritus, Saint Louis University School of Law
- Fr. Carl Scheble, pastor, St. John the Baptist Church
- Jim Schmieder, assistant city administrator, Union, Mo.
- Daniel H. Vatterott, vice president/financial advisor, Morgan Stanley
- Patrick White, president, Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
“Peace and justice are the hallmarks of a society that knows, loves and serves God above all else,” Carlson noted in a memo announcing the commission. “I urge this new commission to assist the citizens and public officials throughout all 11 counties of our archdiocese in the effort to achieve peace and justice for all.”
