Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

On Monday evening, after a long day of work, representatives, senators, staffers, and students from across the political spectrum came together for a discussion on bipartisanship and civility within politics. The conversation took place during a critical time for our nation. The divide of partisan politics seems to continue to relentlessly expand, striking a wedge in relationships across the country. However, if we are currently in a dark moment historically, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life's Salt and Light event at the Capitol last night was a beacon of hope.

As we pulled our van off the interstate onto a bumpy Camden, New Jersey road I first noticed the crumbling homes. In some neighborhoods, the properties in the best condition were the abandoned, boarded-up ones, which stood in stark contrast to the crumbling piles of brick and corrugated metal that were all that remained of some structures. A tally by the city numbers the abandoned homes well above 800.