Christians of all denominations invited for papal visit

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's not just Roman Catholics taking part in the papal visit.

Christians of all denominations are invited to join in the event, to strengthen their faith, and to strengthen their families.

"Catholic means universal," Reverend Terrence D. Griffith said.

Griffith is pastor of First African Baptist Church in South Philadelphia, one of the first black Baptist churches in the country.

Griffith, who is also President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, was invited to speak at the World Meeting of Families Congress later this month.

"I'm extremely pleased with the Roman Catholic Church that they say come let's talk about it because we're all family," Griffith said.

The event is the largest gathering of Catholic families in the world, but it's open to all.

Griffith will address concerns of the urban family including overcrowding, violence, pollution, and poverty, themes which he says are relevant in cities across the world.

"I think instability in our society is a result of instability in the family. You need strong families," Griffith said.

The key, he says, is education, and bringing faith back home.

"I think if we can get back to where the school, church, mosque, synagogue are intricately weaved into family life, I believe our society will be better," Griffith said.

No matter your faith, the hope here is that this dialogue on this importance of families extends past this event and helps bring about solutions in urban communities.

"Poverty does not discriminate. So unless we have a conversation and realize we have a human problem, and we're all family, we'll be going around in circles for the rest of our lives," Griffith said.

Griffith's presentation takes place Wednesday September 23rd. He will sit on a panel on the 24th.