Students, staff and governors from Notre Dame Catholic Girls’ School in Southwark recently participated in an international seminar on ‘Faith that does Justice’ led by Rev. Professor Jim Wallis of Georgetown University. The event, held in partnership with the London Jesuit Centre, Catholics for Labour and the Universities of Birmingham, Roehampton, Bishop Grosseteste, Lincoln and St Mary’s, Twickenham, brought together voices from across a range of education and faith communities.
The seminar was chaired by Mike Kane MP, who welcomed members of the public, alongside the team at the Jesuit Centre, who facilitated the discussion via a Zoom webcast. Also in attendance were staff and pupils from Wimbledon College, a Jesuit school in South London.
Professor Wallis, a former advisor to President Obama and British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, delivered a thought-provoking and visionary talk of how persons of faith can drive social change. Drawing on his decades of experience in social justice campaigns, he reflected on how Americans are responding to the current political landscape in the light of the Gospels; and he highlighted two key biblical texts – Matthew 25:31 and the tale of the Samaritan ‘other’ who helped a Jewish victim – to illustrate the moral imperative of social action.
His message resonated strongly with the audience, and he answered a range of thoughtful questions. Students from Notre Dame listened attentively, with Valeria, a Year 10 student, offering a vote of thanks: “Here at Notre Dame Catholic Girls’ School in Southwark, we welcome girls from every background and religion – many refugees included. What we know together though is that our faith in the people about us – and God – can help build social justice […] thank you Professor Wallis for a brilliant talk.”
