Some HIstory of the Charter for Compassion in San Antonio

 

Among UIW students at the inauguration of the Charter for Compassion are some of the speakers representing the Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim traditions. 

Some History of the Charter of Compassion in San Antonio

Students helped start the Charter movement in the city of San Antonio. 

November 12, 2009  “Starting on November 12, the day the Charter was inaugurated, 150,000 people from over 180 countries participated in various celebratory activities in places of worship, public spaces, schools, universities, and workplaces. UIW faculty and students led by the Arts for Christian Worship class taught by Sister Martha Ann Kirk, religious studies professor, hosted a celebration in Marian Hall Ballroom complete with guest speakers, dancing, and fruit. Olive branches and colorful paper cranes, symbols of peace surrounded a large copy of the Charter which was signed by participants as they danced in a "circle of compassion" around it.

Compassion in various traditions was explained by Lama Passang Gelek, Buddhist monk from Tibet; Anna Huth, Catholic Relief Services, San Antonio; Judy Lackritz of the Jewish Federation, San Antonio; Dr. Lopita Nath from the Hindu tradition, originally from India, now a History professor at the University of the Incarnate Word; Narjis Pierre, leader of the San Antonio Muslim Women's Association; Dr. Neeta Singh from the Sikh tradition, originally from India, now a Nutrition professor at the University of the Incarnate Word. Also Robert Rodriguez, leader of the STAND-UIW, the student group working against genocide, spoke of acting compassionately.”  See pictures and read the whole article by Blanca Morales for the UIW student newspaper https://sites.google.com/view/sa-compassionate-training-2/stories

During 2013. The San Antonio peaceCENTER continued to build the movement and 23 faith groups were part of the Compassion Pilgrimage hosting events focused on the Charter for Compassion.  "2013 Compassion events" | Compassionate San Antonio  The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word including Sister Martha Ann Kirk were declared the 2013 San Antonio Peace Laureates in light of compassionate services of health care which they had begun in 1869 when a tenth of the city population had died from plagues. 

City Resolution in 2017. City news release: SAN ANTONIO (June 22, 2017) – Today, City Council approved a resolution affirming the Charter for Compassion and authorized registration with the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities, actions that underscore Council and Mayor commitment to modeling good government that works for everyone.

The International Campaign for Compassionate Cities is a global movement inspired by the Golden Rule, or Ethic of Reciprocity, which calls on each person to treat others as he or she wishes to be treated.

“For this to be one of our first acts as a City Council represents a symbolic commitment to governing with fairness and compassion,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “San Antonio is a city whose residents have shown time again that they will choose acceptance over fear and unity over division.”

Mayor Nirenberg celebrated this important event by signing the resolution during a Facebook Live event Thursday afternoon, the first resolution ever signed by a San Antonio mayor on social media. He was joined by Rev. Ann Helmke, the City’s Faith-Based Liaison, and members of the faith community:  · Rabbi Chaim Block, Executive Director of Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning  · Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy, Retired Neonatologist and Professor at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and 2017 San Antonio Peace Laureate.
To view Mayor Nirenberg’s full Facebook Live post, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CitySanAntonioTX/videos/10155535215597728/

“The faith community in San Antonio is one of our largest natural resources,” Rev. Helmke said. “Garnering that resource through the lens of compassion will strengthen San Antonio into fully becoming a community that truly cares by serving together collaboratively.”

In 2013, the interfaith community, in partnership with the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities, established Compassionate San Antonio to bring the Charter for Compassion to the City of San Antonio. Adoption of this resolution is consistent with the goals of the City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services (DHS), and will be facilitated by and integrated with the DHS Faith-Based Initiative.”  Read more City of San Antonio News Release on signing of Charter of Compassion Resolution | Compassionate San Antonio

 

Rev. Ann Helmke, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Dr. Eric Castillo, and Sr. Martha Ann Kirk at the Parliament of World Religions

SAN ANTONIO (August 18, 2023) — Mayor Ron Nirenberg was presented with the Charter for Compassion’s Karen Armstrong Humanitarian Award at this year’s Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, August 16 for his efforts in creating the Compassionate USA campaign.

The Compassionate USA campaign began to take shape at the Summer 2022 U.S. Conference of Mayors summit and seeks to tackle political polarization, civil discord, radicalized violence, and the far-reaching societal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of San Antonio, Alamo Colleges District, and the San Antonio Peace Center collaborated to launch the effort one year later at the Summer 2023 U.S. Conference of Mayors Summit in Columbus, Ohio.

In June 2017, San Antonio was one of the first of 600 cities to support the Charter for Compassion, designating San Antonio as a Compassionate City.”  Read more Mayor Nirenberg receives Charter for Compassion’s Humanitarian Award - City of San Antonio

St. Anthony Catholic High School student Matthew Meyer, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and UIW student Sofia Elias shared on Golden Rule Day

Golden Rule Day Event held on April 6, 2025. Mayor Nirenberg as he finishes the maximum amount of time for a city mayor wanted to focus on "Being Golden," living out the wisdom of the Golden Rule in the city.  He and San Antonio Peace Laureates shared at Confluence Park. Students sang the song "Hold on to Love" which was the message which Sr. Martha Ann wished to convey in dance.  UIW student Estrella Needham hosted Artistic Bridges, a global education project which was initiated at UIW where students in 2009 had made San Antonio aware of the Charter for Compassion. Youth share their creations with each other building understanding, healing, and hope.