James J. Pinto, Jr. M.E.V.
"As you have done it unto the least of
these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Matt 25:40 |
James J. Pinto, Jr. M.E.V.
Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life
Founder, Sanctity of Life Ministries
Ministry Development, Her Choice-CPC
By
the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jim has lived and
proclaimed the Gospel of Life for over 25 years. The truth of the
Incarnation -the “infleshment” of God with us in Jesus - has made a
profound impact on his life and ministry. Solidarity with the pre-born,
minorities and the disenfranchised has led Jim and his family to live a
sacramental lifestyle among the people they serve and to invite others
to do likewise. Jim has been recognized locally, statewide and
nationally for his work in proclaiming good news to the poor,
reconciliation among the races and defending the sacredness and dignity
of every human being. He was selected as the “Outstanding Young
Religious Leader of Alabama,” served as a priest in the Anglican
Tradition for over 20 years and entered into full communion with the
Roman Catholic Church in 2003.
Known for
his ability to communicate the Gospel passionately and effectively, Jim
has been a featured speaker in schools, churches, television and radio,
addressing the issues of Christianity and culture. He has authored
numerous articles and essays among them: “Becoming Christ in the City,”
“Another Letter From the Birmingham Jail,” “The Sacredness of Human
Life and the Least” and “The Theology of the Face.”
Jim has been at the center of the founding or developing of numerous
ministries in Greater Birmingham including: Habitat for Humanity, The
Grace House/Village for Girls, Restoration Academy, Her Choice Crisis
Pregnancy Center and the Sanctity of Life Apostolate. The Apostolate
seeks to mobilize the laity in a more intentional consecration to God,
the Church and service to the least, especially the pre-born. Equipping
the saints (lay, ordained, youth and adult) for the work of ministry at
the dawn of the new millennium is a call he believes incumbent upon
him.
Born and raised in Hudson County, New Jersey, he was a member of the
All County Football Team in H.S., and the All Conference Team in
College. Jim received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kean University,
N. J., and a Masters of Divinity Degree from Trinity Episcopal School
for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Joy have been
married for 27 years; and are blessed with four children and five
grandchildren. The Pintos live in Fairfield-Birmingham, Alabama and are
members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, a parish begun by
Franciscans in 1940 with a special call to the African American
community. The Pintos consider their marriage and family first priority
in authenticating their faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church.
Jim’s chief desire is to be a man who does what is in the heart and
mind of God. He seeks to live his life in abandonment to the Holy
Trinity knowing that: “he who saves his life will lose it and he who
loses his life will find it.” He continually is looking for the Face of
God in every face, especially the pre-born, the aged, widow, orphan,
alien, and the helpless, believing what Nicholas of Cusa stated: “In all faces is seen the Face of faces, veiled and in a riddle.”
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