Catholic Theological Union starts peace-building program - Nation - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, August 2, 2002 by Gill Donovan

The Lilly Endowment Inc. has given the Catholic Theological Union $2 million to start the school's proposed Peacebuilders Initiative, a program for Chicago-area high school students. Sheila McLaughlin, who heads the school's Bernardin Center, will direct the program. The grant will provide funding for four years.

"In today's world, the challenge of developing a Christian vision of reconciliation and peacemaking is both formidable and urgent," McLaughlin said. "Our young people are troubled by the violence, intolerance and social problems they experience daily. This exciting new program will encourage and mentor them to become people of peace who witness to a life of justice, tolerance and equity."

Catholic Theological Union, a graduate school of theology and ministry, was awarded the money after it applied to the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment's Theological Programs for High School Youth, which awarded a total of $25.3 million to U.S. and Canadian graduate schools. The school was the only Catholic institution to receive a grant.

In the program, each summer 40 Chicago area high school students will attend a weeklong session at the school to focus on peace building and reconciliation, visit citywide ministry sites and work with mentors to integrate their experiences. During the school year, they will each create a peace-building project in an attempt to put into practice what they have learned