Clergy seek meeting with County Board President Preckwinkle over morgue crisis
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Families of decease reach out to faith community
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In responding to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s public solicitation of “our input and partnership†concerning the overflow of bodies at the Cook County Morgue, The Leaders Network is seeking a meeting with Preckwinkle “given our role in pastoral care and concern about the flagrant disrespect shown to the deceased.â€
The Leader’s Network is anxious to meet with the President and to further offer “our good offices and share some insights†on how County government may partner with community and faith leaders to give oversight in the interest of the sacred resolution of human remains at the County morgue,†said Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch of New Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church.
“It is important that the community and faith leaders are a part of this process. It provides the much needed transparency that this crisis desperately requires, and it will put in place a partnership that would potentially ensure that we never have to experience a travesty like this again,†added Rev. Ira J. Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church.
On Saturday, January 28, 2012, The Pastors of the Leaders Network formally extended a written invitation to President Toni Preckwinkle to meet regarding the body pile up at the morgue.
The Pastors have already given comfort and direction to several distressed families. The ministers are asking that any family that has a love one at the Cook County Morgue or any recently missing love ones to call the Leaders Network office number at 312-473-6496.
The full content of the letter sent to her follows:
January 28, 2012
Dear President Toni Preckwinkle:
This letter brings the warmest greetings and hearty gratitude for your leadership in guiding our county through these difficult economic times. We are especially grateful for your leadership in the unfortunate crisis at the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner. Do know that you have the sincere prayers and full support of the clergy in our organization as you conduct a thorough overhaul of policies and practices in the conduct of the Medical Examiner’s staff and offices.
As you may know, our pastors offered prayers for the deceased at the county morgue. We are continuing to offer spiritual support for families and loved ones of the deceased whose remains may yet be in the custody of the Medical Examiner. As faith leaders, we feel a heartfelt responsibility to advocate for the dignity of those who cannot speak for themselves.
  We would like to meet with you personally to further offer our service and share some insight on how County government may partner with community and faith leaders to give oversight in the interest of the sacred resolution of human remains at the county morgue. Going forward, by working together we can help restore public confidence in the Medical Examiner’s Office overhaul and renewed determination to fully carry it’s ultimate sacred trust. We are acutely aware of the role of state government funding cuts in creating this crisis. Our ideas include helping county government empower citizens to become state funding advocates for the indigent deceased.
   In closing, as pastors we have focused most on the moral dimensions of the present crisis. Honestly, we saw this tragedy in formation eight months ago. The shameful irony is, once we determined in our state budget to neglect the indigent deceased, the ensuing chaos of backlogged human remains left all citizens and families potential victims of an overwhelmed system and unintentional neglect. We must work together to see that this never happens again.
 We would expect a response by Friday, February 3rd so we can proceed with preparation of a delegation to share our thoughts. Thanks again for your leadership and sensitivity to the needs of all the people in our county. Please contact Pastor Hatch at 773-909-5051 to schedule the meeting.Â
For more information contact:Â
Rev Marshall Hatch 773-909-5051
Rev Ira Acree 773-339-8590
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 Executive Team Rev. Dr. Marshall E. Hatch New Mt. Pilgrim M.B. Church Rev. Ira Acree Greater St. John Bible Church Rev. Cy Fields New Landmark M.B. Church Rev. Andre Thurmon St. Mark International Church Rev. David Pope Brotherly Love  Baptist Church Board Members Rev. Victor Agee Praise Temple of Restoration Rev. Derrick Fitzpatrick Stone Temple M.B. Church Rev. Maurice Gaiter Helping Hands Ministry Rev. Billy Geanes Renewance Baptist Church Rev. Stephen Greer Christian Valley Church Rev. Daryl Griffin Oakdale Covenant Church Sis. Ashunda Harris United Baptist Church Rev. Shelly Harmon Miracle Center Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones Pleasant Ridge Church Rev. John Collins Great True Vine Baptist Church Rev. DeAndre Patterson Destiny Worship Center Bishop Henry Holloway Prince of Peace M.B. Church Rev. Stephen Richardson Jordan Temple Church Bishop Larry Roberts Trinity All Nations Ministries Rev. Roosevelt Watkins Bethlehem Star Baptist Church Elder David Whittley Corinthian Temple C.O.G.I.C. Rev. Robbie Wilkerson New Birth Christian Center Rev. Woodard Williams #2 New Mt. Sinai M.B. Church Rev. Napoleon Wordlaw New Zion M.B. Church   |
