The Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, to discuss human rights issues at Seton Hill March 30   Bishop Kicanas will speak as part of the Sister Mary Schmidt, SC, Lecture Series  

GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, will present “Where Did It Happen for You that Your Eyes Were Opened and You Could See?” at 7:00 p.m.on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Cecilian Hall in the Administration Building on the Seton Hill University hilltop campus. Bishop Kicanas will challenge the audience to become attuned to the cries of the poor around us and welcome the strangers in our midst. The program is part of the Sister Mary Schmidt, SC, Lecture Series, a joint project of the Sisters of Charity and Seton Hill University. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call 724-836- 0406, ext. 6613 or visit www.scsh.org.  

Refugees and immigrants can be found all around the world. As the bishop of a border diocese, Bishop Kicanas understands the plight of immigrants who journey into his diocese seeking a better life only to live in the shadows for fear of deportation and separation from their loved ones. The bishop has a strong reputation as a leader on immigration matters and is one who reaches out to migrants and refugees who risk treacherous journeys to escape poverty and dangers in their homeland. Troubled that struggling refugees throughout our world are met with hostility fueled by fear, Bishop Kicanas believes that we are called to open our eyes and ears to see and hear the cry of the poor present all around us. “Only when we see suffering, pain and inequality and are moved by them, can change of attitude happen.”  

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas was installed as Bishop of Tucson on March 7, 2003. He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Tucson on Oct. 30, 2001. On January 24, 1995, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and served as Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate I of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was ordained a bishop on March 20, 1995. Ordained a priest on April 27, 1967, Bishop Kicanas served in various capacities in the seminary system of the Archdiocese of Chicago for over 25 years, preparing men for parish ministry. He is currently Vice Chancellor of the Catholic Extension Society, and Chair of the Mission Committee. He is a member of the USCCB Communications Committee; the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC Board), the Catholic Education Committee, the Subcommittee on Africa, the Subcommittee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development., and the Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs. He is the former vice president of the USCCB, former secretary of the USCCB, former chair of the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services, (CRS).  

The Sister Mary Schmidt Lecture Series is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and Seton Hill University in order to support the Catholic identity of Seton Hill University; engage the Sisters of Charity and Seton Hill University in learning and dialogue on timely topics of social and environmental justice with global impact; and develop an understanding of Catholic Social Teachings and how they pertain to this dialogue.   Sister Mary Schmidt, SC, served as president of Seton Hill from 1971 through 1977. She also taught in the English Department at the University for more than 20 years and served as executive vice president and the director of Alumnae Relations.