Fr. Paul M. Washington Ave.
There is a growing movement in Philadelphia to rename Diamond Street
after Fr. Paul M. Washington the longtime activist who crossed into the
Promised Land Oct 2002.
Fr. Paul, as we affectionately called him, was a civil rights activist,
a human rights activist, a woman rights activist, a homeless advocate.
He stood up for the poor, the gay and lesbian community, he ministered
in the prison system. He was called by many, "The Father of the Black
Power Movement in Philadelphia." He changed 2000 years of the Catholic
Church history by allowing the ordination of women at the Church of the
Advocate. The first woman bishop, Barbara Harris, was mentored by Father
Paul at the "Church."
He touched and changed many lives, to this day we still hear stories about
Fr. Paul. People still can remember his commanding baritone voice, his
command of the spoken word, the unwavering stance where he stood, planted
firmly on God's solid rock. We saw the light of God shining in Fr. Paul
for all to see. We saw truth. justice, peace, compassion, understanding.
We saw a friend in Fr. Paul, a shepherd with a flock of people that no
one else wanted. Fr. Paul said to God, "send to me those that are
cast away by others, the ones who the other churches throw out of their
doors, the ones who society shuns, send them to me, I'll love them God,
I'll never send them away, I'll never turn my back on them, I'll welcome
them in our church with open arms. I'll feed them not only food but I'll
feed them with Your spirit that lives within me."
We all have benefited from Fr. Paul's life and ministry. The memory of
his life and ministry shall never die, the renaming of Diamond Street
is just the start of paying tribute to him. If you knew Fr. Paul, if he
has touched your life in some way, if you care to share in this movement
to remember such a great and Godly man, please pledge your support to
this cause. We will be in touch with you for further review and conversation.
Thanks,
The Father Paul M. Washington Community Committee.
Contact info:
e-mail: frpmwave@gmail.com
Gary Adams 215-387-2734
Kemah C. Washington 484-432-1242
Mel Dorn 215-232-1904