United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos will discuss the current crisis in the justice system and incarceration trends at the 2016 Red Mass and breakfast that will take place on Sunday, October 2, at 9 am in the Egan Chapel of Fairfield University.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will concelebrate the Mass with Fairfield University’s president, Father Jeffrey von Arx, SJ, who will be presented the St. Thomas More Award for his support of the Red Mass over the years. Breakfast will immediately follow in the Oak Room in the campus center. The public is encouraged to attend the Red Mass along with all attorneys, criminal justice and legal professionals.
“This is a timely and intriguing topic for our break – fast program and we’re very grateful that Judge Ramos will share his unique perspective on these issues,” said Anne McCrory, chief legal and real estate officer of the Diocese of Bridgeport. “From his position behind the bench, as well as his experience as a prosecutor, Judge Ramos faces these issues routinely. As we continue in our journey through the Year of Mercy in the Church, it is import- ant for Catholic legal professionals to be aware of the issues causing and resulting in human struggles around us. We look for- ward to Judge Ramos’ remarks.”
The annual Red Mass, celebrated in many dioceses across the country, traditionally seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who strive for justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges faced by Catholic legal practitioners.
U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos
Edgardo Ramos was appointed United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York on September 15, 2011, after being nominated by President Barack Obama. He began his term as a judge on December 15, 2011.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Judge Ramos earned a B.A. in 1982 from Yale University and a J.D. in 1987 from Harvard Law School. From 1987 until 1992, he was an associate with the law firm of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett. In 1992 he entered public service as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York, serving in that capacity for 20 years.
Judge Ramos joined the law firm that would ultimate- ly become Day Pitney LLP in June 2002 as a partner in the White Collar and Internal Investigations Group. In 2003, he was appointed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve on the Commission to Combat Police Corruption. Judge Ramos has served on the governing boards of the Hispanic
National Bar Association, the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and the Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York City. He has also served on the Criminal Law and Municipal Affairs Committees of the New York City Bar Association. In 2008 Judge Ramos was elected as a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation.
Bishop Caggiano has urged all legal professionals including attorneys, legislators, judges and other legal professionals to attend the Red Mass and to consider joining the St. Thomas More Society, an asso- ciation of Catholic attorneys with a long history of charita- ble work. The bishop will recognize the work and dedication to Catholic education of Father von Arx, the host of this year’s Red Mass, with a St. Thomas More Award.
Fairfield University is located at 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield. The cost of the breakfast is $45/ person; tables are $450. For tickets, go to www.bridgeportdiocese.com/RSVP. For questions, email dtietjen@diobpt.org or phone: (203) 416-1385.