• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A screen grab shows the Jan. 26 Theology Uncorked video conference, presented by the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. (CR staff)

Theology Uncorked looks at reducing violence in Baltimore

January 27, 2021
By Mary K. Tilghman
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News

With the murder of Safe Streets organizer Dante Barksdale fresh in their minds, advocates for reducing violence in Baltimore City said during a Jan. 26 video conference that respect and dignity help them reach out to a suffering community.

The Zoom session of Theology Uncorked, presented by the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, began with a prayer, led by Jesuit Father Rick Malloy, who mentioned Barksdale, 46, who was fatally shot Jan. 17.

“The city lost a great advocate and peace builder in the city,” Father Malloy said.

Kim Lamberty, director for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, of the Washington, D.C.-based Stuart Center, added that “every human person has the spark of the divine.”

“Each person is better than the worst thing they’ve ever done,” she said.

The call of Genesis, the Gospel and the words of Pope Francis call us not only to love others but “to seek the best for their lives,” Lamberty said. She explained that means meeting others in their poverty, violence, trauma and poor education, and addressing their needs. “Francis calls the church to do that work,” she said.

Greg Marshburn, director of Catholic Charities Safe Streets in the Sandtown-Winchester community, said he works with 10 others to interrupt violence on the streets where Freddie Gray Jr. lived. Catholic Charities also sponsors Safe Streets in Brooklyn-Curtis Bay, one of 10 sections of the city-run program. It lost a valued leader when Barksdale was murdered in Douglass Homes.

“Violence is a disease that can be cured,” Marshburn said. He noted he comes from the streets, having been shot, served time in prison and overcome addiction. 

“I understand the culture. I’ve lived the culture,” he said, noting that makes him a credible messenger who can speak with empathy and nurture trust. Respect and dignity are essential, he added.

“You’re caring about somebody who doesn’t care about themselves,” Marshburn said.

Safe Streets canvasses troubled neighborhoods, mediates conflict and sponsors community events in an effort to change behavior. 

“The more we do these things the more we’ve got participation,” Marshburn said.

He recalled a recent situation when Safe Streets was called. In a situation where people usually bring their cameras to witness the violence, instead they told Marshburn they would mediate the conflict. “That was really big for us.”

He noted that about 75 percent of homicides are due to revenge or retaliation. 

“ ‘What you looking at?’ can result in a death,” Marshburn said.

While Marshburn works to prevent homicides, Annette March-Grier supports the survivors of homicides. She said she started Roberta’s House to offer support to grieving members of the urban community, especially children, who didn’t have resources to learn healthy coping skills.

“We became a hub for helping people,” she said.

Begun in 2007, the center is now set to move to larger quarters with expanded offerings in February. One program is designed for homicide survivors, who comprise about 40 percent of their clientele. All programs are free.

March-Grier said programs offer hope, a way to honor the deceased and an opportunity for growth instead of continuing the cycle of anger, revenge and self-destruction. “They are not alone,” said the St. Ann’s parishioner.

The coronavirus pandemic has presented its own challenges. Staff has been stretched thin while employees worry about passing the virus to family members with underlying health issues, according to Marshburn.

Even so, the number of homicides, nine in 2020, is still lower than 2016’s 17, he said.

March-Grier said referrals have dropped during the pandemic, while some clients don’t have the technology to access virtual sessions.

How can others support these efforts?

“There’s nothing anybody can do outside of funding,” Marshburn said.

He said 92 people work for Safe Streets. “They are 92 people who are not robbing you.”

Safe Streets can provide a job for someone who relies on guns and drugs for feeding their families, said Marshburn.

March-Grier said her nonprofit always needs funding and more volunteers. 

Mary Ellen Russell, archdiocesan director of community affairs, suggested lobbying representatives in the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore City Council for further support. “We could be advocates for the program,” she said.

Another option is the archdiocese’s grief ministry which reaches out to families touched by violence with prayer, food, sympathy notes and other support.

The next Theology Uncorked session will address Care of Creation in Baltimore on April 27 at 7 p.m. Go to https://ivcusa.org/ivc-offices/welcome-to-ivc-baltimore/theology-uncorked-2/ for details or to register.

To volunteer for grief ministry, go to https://www.archbalt.org/grief-ministry/.

Also see

Vatican envoy warns UN General Assembly racism mutating and ‘reemerging’ globally

Mother Lange canonization cause takes step forward

Baltimore’s Jesuit parish helps revitalize gravesite where enslaved people are buried

Cardinal Gregory leads prayer service for enslaved African Americans buried in Sacred Heart Parish’s cemetery in Bowie

West Virginia diocese, community celebrate legacy of former Catholic school for African American students

If you ask me

Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Mary K. Tilghman

Mary Tilghman is a freelance contributor to the Catholic Review who previously served as managing editor, news editor and staff writer for the Review.

A parishioner of St. Ignatius in Baltimore, she and her husband have three adult children. Her first novel, “Divided Loyalties” (Black Rose Writing), a historical novel set in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, was published in 2017.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history
  • Fire guts historic Catholic school in parish connected to St. John Neumann
  • RADIO INTERVIEW: Dining with the Saints
  • Suspect pleads not guilty in murder of LA Auxiliary Bishop O’Connell
  • Movie Review: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4, a festival of fatality’

| Latest Local News |

Catholic Charities’ William J. McCarthy Jr. named Loyola’s Business Leader of the Year

Sister Joan Cooper, O.S.F., dies at 94

Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history

| Latest World News |

National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series

Laws, lawsuits and adult involvement needed to save kids from social media ‘harm,’ say experts

Confession is ‘encounter of love’ that fights evil, pope tells priests

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • National Eucharistic Revival aims to form disciples on mission with new Easter series
  • Confession is ‘encounter of love’ that fights evil, pope tells priests
  • Laws, lawsuits and adult involvement needed to save kids from social media ‘harm,’ say experts
  • Praying for healing for our pet
  • Jérôme Lejeune’s legacy advances ‘abundant life’ for people with Down syndrome in world and church
  • Texas parishioners affected by Ukrainian war, a wildfire have relied on faith, community to survive turmoil
  • Pope, World Council of Churches’ leaders talk about war, divisions
  • Pre-Vatican II Mass was formed by ‘clericalization,’ says papal preacher
  • Memorial to modern Christian martyrs opens in Rome

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED