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A Gathering of Hope
Rector speaks at prayer gathering to mark 1967 event
Fox News reports on "Black Jesus" grotto
by Daniel Gallio
MOSAIC, Fall 2007
The location of the event is significant: in the early 1980s, the plaza rose triumphant from the ashes of what was once a block of commercial buildings on Twelfth Street (now Rosa Parks Boulevard) that had been damaged during the disturbance. Only a few blocks to the north, at the corner of Rosa Parks and Clairmount, is a small pocket park on the site where the disturbance began, while Sacred Heart sits only two blocks to the west of this historic site.
Rector is surprise speaker
"Reclaiming Our Territory" was organized by members of a prayer meeting of ecumenical and multi-racial pastors from Livonia, Dearborn and Detroit who meet regularly to pray for healing and unity among the communities of metro Detroit. (The title signifies reclaiming for God "territory"—geographical, spiritual and psychological—that has been despoiled by racial disharmony.) Because of Sacred Heart's location, its tradition of outreach to the local community, and the spiritual intent of the gathering, it was more than appropriate that representatives from Sacred Heart attended. The group was all-inclusive, consisting of administration, faculty, a seminarian and staff: Rector Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton, Emeritus Professor Paul Berg (who was living at Sacred Heart in 1967 and witnessed the disturbance firsthand), Sr. Mary Finn, undergraduate pastoral formation director, seminarian Stephen Pullis, Vice President of Development and External Affairs David Kelley, Marketing Director Kate Bua and Mosaic editor Daniel Gallio.
When Anglican Pastor Allen Kannapell of Livonia, one of the organizers, learned that Monsignor Monforton was in attendance, he enthusiastically invited Monsignor to offer remarks to help open the gathering. A surprised but gracious Monsignor accepted. After the blowing of a ram's horn, recalling the ancient Israelite's method of gathering, and opening remarks by organizer Pastor Diane Chappelle of Ruth Chapel AME in Detroit, Monsignor said a prayer for harmony among peoples. He also mentioned that Catholic social teaching demands that members of all races treat each other equally. About two hundred people attended the event, of an equal mix of black and white, most of whom were non-Catholic.
"We have to walk together as fellow pilgrims," said Monsignor in an interview later that day with the Michigan Catholic. "We are all part of the fabric that's woven into Detroit."
After Monsignor's words, attendees heard remarks by local civic leaders Mayors Kwame Kilpatrick (Detroit), Jack Engebretson (Livonia), John O'Reilly (Dearborn), as well as Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. The three mayors and Ficano pledged to work diligently to break down the barriers of mind and spirit that separate their communities. The selection of mayors was not accidental: Livonia and Dearborn have reputations among the black community, warranted or not, of being racially exclusive, while Detroit is perceived by many suburban whites as being inhospitable, warranted or not. The three-hour gathering continued on with lively prayer, music and proclamations of hope and healing by other religious and secular leaders.
TV report on "Black Jesus"
Perhaps reminded of Sacred Heart's prominence in the community by Monsignor's appearance at the gathering, the local Fox News television affiliate contacted Monsignor later that day for permission to produce a report on the significance of the "Black Jesus" statue, located on Sacred Heart's campus. The piece aired during Fox's five o'clock news program that evening.
The story of Black Jesus is moving and was at one time controversial. During the second day of the disturbance, an African American housepainter boldly painted the hands, feet and face of the white Sacred Heart of Jesus statue black. Opinions were highly polarized at the time, even among Detroit's black residents. Some considered the painting an act of faith and racial pride; others saw it as mere vandalism. Over the years, the meaning of the landmark has evolved to almost unanimously symbolize Jesus' love for all races, and particularly for the city of Detroit and its black citizens. The seminary has steadfastly kept the features of the landmark painted black for four decades, and intends to do so forever.
The Black Jesus grotto and image, which gazes serenely onto the busy intersection of Chicago Boulevard and Linwood Avenue, has immense historical significance, as well as spiritual. Many believe, as proposes John Lajiness, assistant dean of Sacred Heart's Institute for Ministry, that the statue "is one of the few visible landmarks remaining in this neighborhood of that summer and those fateful days. No matter how one feels about the issue, the statue stands as an emblem of that time.
"In fact," says Lajiness, "I would suggest that the City really has no other positive visible symbol like it. It speaks less of violence and more of the internal struggle for identity and the human tension which, intentionally or not, bled into making this statue an icon."
Looking back and looking ahead
Sensing the potential for authentic spiritual renewal and social good that could be realized during the fortieth anniversary year of the civil disturbance, the seminary is developing plans to bring the local community together around the Black Jesus grotto. Activities being considered include a Eucharistic procession, an ecumenical, multi-racial prayer service, and a formal rededication of the grotto after a complete restoration and re-landscaping of the grounds.
As Lajiness expresses, "The Sacred Heart statue is no longer just a symbol of the seminary. It is now an icon of universal appeal."
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