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Race Relations
Race Relations
Understanding the issue of racial injustice and wanting to showcase "his belief in the dignity of all people" Bishop Grutka called for his priests to work for racial justice, published the pastoral letter, "How Good a Neighbor Am I," and became involved in civic and interfaith organizations devoted to open housing and other reforms (Bonta 275-276.)" He attended the Conference on Religion and Race in 1963 in Chicago, which served as a religious commemoration of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863.) It was "the first of its’ kind to bring together Catholic, Jewish and Protestant leaders to pray (Bonta 273.)"
Albert Raby, McDermott, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Reverend Andrew Young clasping hands and singing (Chicago, Illinois, July 1965) Credit: Chicago History Museum
How Good A Neighbor Am I?
How Good A Neighbor Am I?
His first and only pastoral letter is considered one of his "greatest contributions to promote racial justice and charity and set a courageous example of pastoral leadership in this cause (Bonta 278.)" He stated that “prejudice, segregation, discrimination defile every thing they touch but their effects on housing, employment, education, religion, and associations are especially deplorable (Bonta 280.)”
Credit: Anthony Bonta
Leader of Gary, IN
Leader of Gary, IN
Bishop Grutka held many leadership positions in his life. Some of his positions include: treasurer of the Gary Urban League (1947,) vice president of the Gary Redevelopment Commission (1956,) moderator of the Gary Deanery, a member of the Gary Crime Commission, a member of the Human Relations Commission, and a member Gary's Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People with lifetime membership (Michael Kates 1993.)
"His friendship and collaboration with religious and civic leaders, (e.g., Rabbi Carl Miller and Mayor Martin Katz,) as well as black leaders, (e.g., Rev. Julius James, Rev. Robert Lowry, Mr. Clifford Minton, and Richard Gordon Hatcher, Mayor of Gary, Indiana, 1968 to 1987,) helped maintain nonviolence in Gary when other cities throughout the nation experienced riots and violence. Grutka’s efforts to promote and establish just open housing policies in Gary and racial justice won him both respect and derision, and solidified his role as a leader in the cause for racial equality."
"His friendship and collaboration with religious and civic leaders, (e.g., Rabbi Carl Miller and Mayor Martin Katz,) as well as black leaders, (e.g., Rev. Julius James, Rev. Robert Lowry, Mr. Clifford Minton, and Richard Gordon Hatcher, Mayor of Gary, Indiana, 1968 to 1987,) helped maintain nonviolence in Gary when other cities throughout the nation experienced riots and violence. Grutka’s efforts to promote and establish just open housing policies in Gary and racial justice won him both respect and derision, and solidified his role as a leader in the cause for racial equality."
Slovak Catholic Federation Convention
Slovak Catholic Federation Convention
Bishop Andrew Grutka was a pillar to all the commuities he touched, but he is well-known for his work for the people of Slovakia. Being a son of immigrants and being fluent in Slovak himself, he worked tirelessly with the SCF to help promote, lead, and fund the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, during a time when Slovaks were facing persecution in Europe. Due to his ties to both North America and Europe, he brought in various donations and sponsorships from groups all over the globe that helped the group succeed in their mission. "The Institute served as:
a residence for the education, training and formation of Slovak men from Communist Slovakia (Czechoslovakia at that time) and around the world to study for the priesthood
a publishing house for liturgical and religious books in Slovak language
a place of welcome for Slovak pilgrims and visitors (Antony Bonta 6.)"
51st Slovak Catholic Federation Convention in celebration of the anniversary of the death of St. Methodius (Allentown, PA, 1985)Credit: Slovak Catholic Federation
“He was a kind and loving minister of the Church; an inspiring leader of social justice and equality; and a good neighbor and friend - a true Slovak!” (Daniel F. Tanzone, n.d.)
“He was a kind and loving minister of the Church; an inspiring leader of social justice and equality; and a good neighbor and friend - a true Slovak!” (Daniel F. Tanzone, n.d.)
Episcopal Advisor to the American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association
Episcopal Advisor to the American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association
In the 1960s, he became the Episcopal Advisor to the American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association (ACCCA), where he advocated for chaplains, the incarcerated, and prison staffs. He called for proper"rehabilitation and became a vocal critic of discrimination in the justice system, which punished low-income offenders while showing leniency to white-collar crime.... He made three major contributions to the improvement of prison ministry:
The publication of the first chaplain training manual and development of a certification program through Catholic University of America
The lead authorship of the United States Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, The Reform of Correctional Institutions in the 1970s
The consistent efforts as an advocate for the rehabilitation of the incarcerated and opposition to capital punishment as a violation to human dignity."
Grutka at Indiana State Prison (Michigan City, Indiana, 1962) Credit: Andrew G. Grutka Papers & Anthony Bonta
Awards and Accomplishments (Kates 1993)
Awards and Accomplishments (Kates 1993)
Gary Hall of Fame - 1985
Roy Wilkens Award of the Gary chapter of the NAACP - 1981
Was one of five religious representatives to visit North Vietnam - 1974
American Legion Civic Merit Award - 1940
University of Evansville Medal of Honor
Sagamore of the Wabash, an award given by the governor to distinguished Hoosiers - 1977
"My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life." - Pope Francis
"My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life." - Pope Francis
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