Charlie Sullivan

2014 Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award Recipient

Charles ("Charlie") Sullivan, SOT '69 

Charles ("Charlie") Sullivan ('69) and his wife, Pauline, are the co-founders and co-directors of CURE: Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants. Founded in 1972, CURE advocates crime prevention, alternative punishments, work placement, and rehabilitation programs. CURE's mission statement reiterates their goal - "We believe that prisons should be used only for those who absolutely must be incarcerated and that those who are incarcerated should have all of the resources they need to turn their lives around. ..." After establishing national chapters throughout the United States, CURE turned towards international horizons. In 2012, International CURE hosted chapters from four countries as well as delegates from thirty-five American states. CURE has also partnered with the United Nations Organization in recent years, thus furthering their efforts to reach incarcerated people and their families on a global level. Through CURE, Charlie and Pauline are living out the mission of the Church, as Bishop John McCarthy said of them in a 2013 article: "My main point is the example of how much good can be accomplished if a few people with a vision are willing to make a sacrifice in order to confront evil and injustice... CURE is the best friend that prisoners have and I hope they continue to grow ever stronger and more effective" (Bp. John McCarthy, "Criminal Justice System - Friends to the Friendless," January 23, 2013).

Charlie will be presented with the 2014 Ezekiel Award at the upcoming SOT/Sem All Class Reunion. We believe he embodies the mission and the Benedictine heritage of Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary through his tireless work for the rights of the incarcerated in the United States and throughout the world. To learn more about Charlie's work, visit the CURE: Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants website.