Challenges of Refugees Explored During Founders Week

The struggles of refugees and immigrants were revealed during Founders Week 2011: Refugees, Migrants and The Spiritan Tradition. Through powerful multi-media presentations and in-depth stories, the featured speakers illustrated the challenges and hopes of the thousands of people displaced from their homelands because of political, cultural or religious persecution, economic hardships, wars or natural disasters.

Three Spiritans shared their experiences of working with refugee ministries around the world with the campus community. Their presentations exemplified the Spiritan charism of working with the poor and marginalized.

• The Rev. Paul Flamm, C.S.Sp., is leading efforts for peace and reconciliation in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, which includes Burundi, Rwanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and northwestern Kenya and Tanzania. He works with Burundian refugees in Tanzania, helping them repatriate, resettle to a new country or integrate into Tanzanian society.

• The Rev. Donald McEachin, C.S.Sp., discussed the continuing challenges of Haitians who fled their country following the devastating earthquake in 2010 and subsequent cholera outbreak. He ministers to refugees from his rural parish in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, which borders the countries of Haiti and Dominican Republic.

• The Rev. Alex Osei, C.S.Sp. directs Brottier House, a refugee resettlement center in Toronto, Canada, that provides transitional housing for refugees from the Middle East, Africa, South America and other countries. Since 2008, Osei has helped more than 60 “newcomers” integrate into Canadian society—connecting them with educational, legal, medical and social service resources and providing hands-on spiritual and emotional support.

In addition, Duquesne hosted two additional Founders Week speakers with ardent interest in refugees and immigration policies. Dr. Yinka Aganka-Williams, SLPA ’08, gave an overview of issues facing refugees in the Pittsburgh area and the help she provides through the Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach Center she directs at St. Benedict the Moore Church in the Hill District.

In his keynote presentation, A World Without Strangers: Catholic Social Thought, Immigration and Justice, E.J. Dionne affirmed to an audience of approximately 300 that Catholic social teaching on the issue of immigrants offers a profound message to society at large. He quoted Hebrews 13:2, saying, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Every February, Founders Week celebrates the traditions of social justice and caring that the Spiritans, the founders of Duquesne University, share with the world.