"In spite of the borders and boundaries that exist, we see ourselves as one great Catholic community, and we are immensely grateful and honored that our universal pastor, Pope Francis, has chosen to come to our area," Bishop Seitz said in a Jan. 18 statement. "We celebrate this great day for our brothers and sisters in Juarez."

"It's not about service, we should be out on the streets protesting," Rev. Cean James, founding pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Philadelphia, said. "Given the lack of change in society since the death of Dr. King, a true revolution of values is needed. It should be a day of protest against injustice. We have been silent for a long time."

“I think people on both sides would say that it’s gone well,” he says. “By no means do [adjuncts] feel like they have reached a level of parity,” he adds, “but they understand that the university has taken a real step in the right direction and want to continue to work with the union.”

Faculty Forward reports “deep misgivings about the future of higher education” among respondents.

Any move to broaden those whose feet are washed by the priest—taking the role of Jesus—could raise questions about ordination.

Faith organizations are focused on a longer-term goal: to make sure the impoverished city, where President Obama last weekend declared a state of emergency over its poisoned water, is never so neglected again.