Bill Purcell
Director, Office for Peace & Justice of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Office for Peace & Justice
www.archdiocese-chgo.org/peace&justice
- How were you called to your current ministry/service?
My parents had a big influence on teaching me to reach out to our community.
My studies at the University of Notre Dame taught me that I needed to work
for justice by addressing the root causes of problems, and not just do charity
trying to take care of the effects social problems. I came to Chicago from
Washington, DC to ask the "why" questions here: poverty, racism, lack of housing,
etc. - Who inspires you?
Fr. Don McNeill, CSC, who was the original Director of the Center for Social
Concerns has been an inspiration for me for 20 years. Monsignor Jack Egan
was also an inspiration for me when I first came to Chicago. - What are the biggest obstacles to peace?
The biggest obstacle is individualism. People want things their way. Another
major obstacle is fear, especially the fears that come with ignorance. Racism,
immigrant discrimination, war are all reactions out of fear. - What is the biggest challenge your organization faces?
Financial stability is always a practical challenge. As an organization our
biggest challenge is trying to minister in an infrastructure as large as the
Archdiocese of Chicago, especially when you are trying to address issues like
poverty. - Describe for us a typical day.
No such thing. Every day is another wide open field from labor issues, to
hosting a Cardinal from Africa, to creating a budget, to advising the Cardinal
about community organizing. Lots of meeting interspersed, along with visits
to parishes. - How do you get the news?
The internet, the radio, the newspaper and TV in that order. - What are your favorite websites and why?
USCCB.org: Keeps me up on national Catholic issues.
Zenit.org: Vatican news - though it has an ideological bent, which is frustrating at times.
Catholicrelief.org: great practical ways to act in solidarity
Archdiocese-chgo.org: my world of work
Ipj-ppj.org: Peace resources
Peacechicago.org: Local peace action info. - How do you nurture your faith life?
Pray every evening as a family; weekly Eucharistic at my parish; get to give
presentations on faith which makes me think about why I do this work. Reading
Catholic Social Teaching is key to nurturing my faith. - What advice would you give the next generation of church and civic
leaders?
Believe in yourself, have faith in your abilities. Don't let any generation
tell you that their generation is better that yours. - Last good book you read?
John Adams by David McCullough - Last good movie you saw?
The Hours - What were you like in High School?
Studied hard, played hard, prayed hard. - If you were a teenage Peacebuilder you would…
Find out ways that I could get involved once a month in an activity that would
help to promote peace, such as a monthly demonstration at the Federal Building
or create a monthly prayer at my school or my parish. - What is your favorite comfort food?
Potato Chips - any flavor. - Share a favorite quote that inspires you.
May God support us all the day long 'til shadows lengthen and evening comes
and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is
done. Then in his mercy may He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and
peace at last. - Cardinal John Newman - Please nominate another Peacebuilder you are acquainted with that
deserves to be profiled on our site.
Fr. Bob Vitillo, Executive Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
at the US Catholic Conference of Bishops. Bob is also an expert on HIV/AIDS, where
he was the Vatican liaison for 10 years.
