Hendricken to host dialogue between community and law enforcement
For further information, contact: Michele King, mking@hendricken.com, 401.739.3450, ext. 131
WARWICK, RI (October 5, 2020) – Today, Fr. Robert Marciano, KHS ’75, President, is proud to announce that Bishop Hendricken will host Unity 2020: Coming Together as a Community with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association on Saturday, October 10th at 3pm at Hayden Stadium.
The free and open event, part of the nationwide “Faith and Blue” initiative by MovementForward and sponsored by the Department of Justice, is designed to foster an open and honest dialogue between local law enforcement and the communities they serve, especially those who feel disconnected and discriminated against. The program will feature brief speeches, prayers, and face-to-face breakout sessions and discussions with police and faith leaders.
“Bishop Hendricken is honored to partner with the members of our many faith communities and their leaders as well as our dedicated law enforcement officials to begin this yearlong, and hopefully lifelong, dialogue to foster peace, understanding, and justice with all whom we serve,” said Fr. Robert Marciano. “These trying times are no match for our good intentions and our working together on behalf of others.”
“One of the promises the Rhode Island Police Chiefs made as part of the Twenty for 2020 Campaign in June was holding and participating in face-to-face, open forums with our communities,” said Lincoln Police Chief and RIPCA President Brian Sullivan. “The faith community is an important connection to the local communities across our state, and we are looking forward to the meaningful dialogue that will be facilitated as part of this program.”
Unity 2020 is spearheaded by the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and the Warwick Police Department. Dialogue will include the following faith and law enforcement leaders:
Fr. Robert Marciano (Catholic community)
President of Bishop Hendricken High School & Pastor of St. Kevin Church
Ms. Wendy Joering (Jewish community)
Director of Community Security for the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island
Imam Farid Ansari (Muslim community)
Muslim American Dawah Center of Rhode Island
Fr. Marcos Girgis (Coptic Christian community)
Pastor of St. Mary & St. Mena
Rev. Hance Philippe (Transformation Worship Center)
Chaplain of Lincoln Police Department
Mr. William Ferland
Chief of the Criminal Division, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island
Mr. Brian Pires
National Security Specialist & Law Enforcement Coordinator, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island
Chief Brian Sullivan
President of RIPCA & Chief of Lincoln Police Department
Colonel Rick Rathbun
Chief of Warwick Police Department
The event is completely free and open to all. All attendees must adhere to our campus COVID-19 health and safety policies, including sign-in, contactless temperature screening, mask-wearing at all times, and physical distancing.