WHEELING, W.Va. (WVDN) — Fifty years ago, the 25 Catholic Bishops and members of the faithful of the Appalachia region took a stand to be advocates for the powerless.
Together, the faith leaders became a voice for the beautiful hills, valleys, and people of Appalachia who were suffering and ignored. They composed a public letter in response to concerns raised by the Catholic Committee of Appalachia in 1974 regarding the economic and political inequalities that characterized the region after committee members had traveled throughout Appalachia, listening to individuals, community groups, volunteers and church workers. The bishops then united to bring the economic and political inequalities faced by Appalachian communities to life.
The original landmark letter “This Land is Home to Me” written in 1975, was surely an answer to generations of prayers from the people of all backgrounds living in the 397 counties and 13 states (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and all of West Virginia) that are part of the Appalachian Mountain region. The letter is considered one of the most significant statements to emerge from the U.S. Catholic Church. It’s become a model for groups all over the world that want to promote social justice. More than 200,000 copies of the pastoral letter are in circulation, and it’s been translated into several languages.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic letter, Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, and Most Rev. David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, invite you to Wheeling University where the 1975 Appalachian letter was signed for a 50th Anniversary Celebration “Remember…. Recognize…. Rekindle – Bring to others beyond the mountains, the promise of their vision.”
The event will take place on Jan. 31 and will be an afternoon and evening of celebratory and informative presentations, Mass, fellowship dinner, Appalachian music and art, and social hour to honor the legacy of the pastoral letters and a renewed commitment to a just and sustainable future for Appalachia and its people. The schedule is as follows:
2:30 p.m. Arrival/Sign-In/Registration [Swint Hall]
3 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Opening Celebration [Troy Theater, Swint Hall]
3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Various Presentations [Troy Theater, Swint Hall]
5:15 p.m. Mass at the Chapel of Mary and Joseph
6 p.m. Catered Dinner [Troy Theater, Swint Hall]
7 p.m. Festival of Appalachian Music and Art [Mt. de Chantal Conservatory, CET Building]
– Concert featuring Old Hometown Bluegrass Band
– Exhibition of Appalachian art and interaction with Appalachian artists
– An Evening Social with refreshments will follow the concert at 8:15 p.m.
Those planning on attending the event are asked to RSVP to the Office of the Chancellor for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston at 304-233-0880, ext. 261. Gather and celebrate the clarion call that echoes today, one of awareness and social justice to address issues of poverty, powerlessness, and environmental concerns within the region; essentially using their platform to advocate for the people of Appalachia based on their lived experiences gathered through extensive community outreach.
