Bishop Filipe C Teixeira Testimonial

It was in 1999, as a young Priest working with the Cape Verdean Community in the greater Boston area, when Mr. Chuck Turner was running to become our second man of color as City Councilor. He came one Saturday evening to our Church Saint Martin De Porres on Cushing Avenue in Uphams Corner about his intentions to run for the Council seat. As he walked in the Sanctuary, I saw a great man of deep Spirituality and Honesty. I saw a Black Moses walking towards us, by announcing his goals and Mission as our future city councilor. After that brief presentation, I started to follow his footsteps and his philosophy of life, which I can say loudly and proudly “Living for the Others”. Chuck answered all the needs of our communities. He went far to teach others around the Nation and the World what it means to “Live for Others”. He became a teacher, a friend, and a councilor for me as I learned to navigate the City of Boston.

I remembered when our young people were killed by the Boston Police, Municipal Police etc. Mr. Turner would be right there to help our community understand what was happening. When the Cape Verdean people in Boston were targeted by the District Attorney, he helped me secure a meeting with the District Attorney to address the real concerns in my community about law enforcement practices.

Perhaps, if you may allow me to say, Mr. Turner is a prophet, a preacher in his own rights. He preaches what he practices in his every day life. A humble and honest man of God, chosen by His people to lead us into the Liberation of Salvation from this chaos that surround us daily. It is my prayers and support that by the end of all this drama, that Black, Brown, Yellow and honest white people will learn to accept one another and work for a just and civil society.

To my Black Liberation Theologian in his own rights, Blessings and be Firm!

- Bishop Teixeira, OFSJC
Diocese Saint Francis of Assisi, Catholic Church of the Americas