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Latest News
Clergy address violent crime
by Lauri Harvey Keagle and Kirsten Srinivasan, The Times (Munster, IN)
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CALUMET CITY - If the faith community is going to have an impact on violent crime in Calumet City, one pastor believes clergymen need to step away from the pulpit and into the streets.
"You have to meet them at the place where they are," said the Rev. Clinton Ward, of Celia Gregg Memorial AME Church.
"They have issues and concerns with churches because they are finding some kind of spiritual enlightening with involvement in gangs," he said, adding that one popular online community site had the gang Gangster Disciples listed under its religious category.
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Ward has been trying to reach out to gang members and others on the streets by spending one night a week standing on the corner of Wentworth Avenue and 156th Street, the turf for the local 156 Boys street gang.
"(Gangs) need to see the neighborhood as not scared somehow," Ward said. "That’s why the gangs have proliferated Calumet City."
The Rev. Archie Graham, of God’s Word Christian Center, said the city and police have encouraged churches to provide a place for youths to congregate, but many don’ have the space or ability to handle the liability and insurance costs.
One Catholic priest in Calumet City said his parishioners’ fear of crime may have a direct impact on how his church conducts business.
"It’s to the point where the church is thinking of having our meetings on Sunday afternoons because people don’ want to come out at night," said the Rev. Patrick Lyons, of Our Lady of Knock Church.
Lyons said the discussion followed the shooting deaths of two city teens within the span of a week in November.
Seven reputed Latin Kings have been charged in connection with the shooting death of Melody Elias, 16. A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Samuel Rogers, 17, in November.
The Rev. Martin Michniewitz, of St. Andrew the Apostle Church, officiated the Mass for Elias.
"Melody made her confirmation here and was in CCD," Michniewitz said. "This is the first grammar school or CCD child I’ve done a funeral for in a violent death."
The priest said he isn’ sure what role churches should play in the violent crime facing their community.
"It’s so frustrating because I don’ think anyone really knows," Michniewitz said. "What should we do? Have a march? Take out an ad in the paper saying churches are against violence? Everyone should know that. Get involved in gun control? That’s not the answer."
One thing Michniewitz believes can help is prayer.
"All we can do is save as many people as we can and get people into church and know that will ultimately get you everlasting life," Michniewitz said.
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Nextwork.