"A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in
the Catholic Tradition"
Encompassing the Northwestern Province of the
United States
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota,
Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan and Alaska.
Press Release
Office of the Bishop
Evangelical Catholic
Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois
Office: 773-721-5383 Fax: 773-721-2581
Email:
diocesenw@evangelicalcatholicchurch.org
December 19, 2010
Chicago, Illinois - For Immediate Release
Diocese Denounces Firing
of Rick Garcia by Equality Illinois
and calls for
Boycott of Equality Illinois
25th Anniversary DinnerThe Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest denounces the firing of long time civil rights champion Rick Garcia from Equality Illinois, based in Chicago.
After working tirelessly and pro bono to achieve passage of the Civil Union Bill in the Illinois State Legislature and for advocating the release of former Illinois Governor George Ryan, Mr. Garcia was informed by Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov that his pro bono position with Equality Illinois was terminated. Mr. Cherkasov has, to date, refused to provide Mr. Garcia with any rational or reason for this termination.
Mr. Garcia, who was presented with the Saint Joseph the Worker Award by Bishop James Wilkowski this past November, has demonstrated his civil and spiritual passion for civil rights for all people for over two decades. Most of the social and legal advancements in civil rights in the State of Illinois have come to be thanks to Mr. Garcia's vocation to Social Justice and Peace.
It is incumbent upon Equality Illinois to provide just cause and reason for Mr. Garcia's termination from Equality Illinois, otherwise Mr. Cherkasov and those Equality Illinois board members responsible for terminating Mr. Garcia should resign their offices.
Until Mr. Garcia is reinstated to his position with Equality Illinois, the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest formally calls for the boycott of Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Dinner on February 12, 2011.
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“A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”
Diocesan Church Office
Post Office Box 178388 Chicago Illinois 60617-8388
(T) 773-721-5383 (F) 773-721-2581