Racism and Mission
One way the Church can begin to address the wounds of racism in our country – and others – is through reconciliation. Reconciliation requires a missionary perspective, a patient and expansive spirituality, simple and liberating strategies, distinctive ministerial skills, and a community of missionaries who can accompany one another, learn from each other, and collaborate to bring the reconciling power of the Gospel to those oppressed by “unspeakable violence, unbearable pain and indelible scars on [their] memory.”
Empowering Church Leaders to Address Racism
The Bishops issued a new pastoral letter on racism (November 2018).
USCMA, Catholic Mobilizing Network and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry hosted a series of webinars on the pastoral letter.
The first on May 14, 2019 focused on what does it say, how can we implement it, and what are next steps. To access the webinar, CLICK HERE.
The second on July 11, 2019 continued the conversation, clarified terms, and proposed strategies. To access the webinar, CLICK HERE.
The third webinar was held on November 15, 2019 to address the sin of Jesuit slaveholding and discuss efforts towards truth, racial healing, and transformation. To access the webinar, CLICK HERE.
For the fourth webinar, on February 12, 2020, Catholic ministry leaders conversed about the film Just Mercy, and the ways in which it can inspire action among Catholics to address the sin of racism. To access the webinar, CLICK HERE.
Resources & Downloads
What is Restorative Justice?
Catholic Mobilizing Network offers this handout (to download) on What is Restorative Justice?
It published and genorously shared the following video, where they summarize 5 key points from the 2018 pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The enduring call to love.
This should not be taken to be a complete or robust summary of the pastoral letter.
Recommended Reading
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Racial Sobriety Becoming the Change You Want to See by Clarence E. Williams, CPPS
Harm, Healing and Human Dignity: A Catholic Encounter wth Restorative Justice
United Against Racism: Churches for Change by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community by Eric H. F. Law
American Catholics and Slavery: 1989-1866 by Kenneth J. Zanca
Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillian, and Switzler
White Fragility – Why it is so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo (NPR Interview)
The Little Book of Racial Healing; Coming to the Table for Truth-Telling, Liberation and Transformation by Thomas Norman DeWolf and Jodie Geddes
The Little Book of Circle Process by Kay Pranis
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
We Are Salt and Light: Racial Justice
On September 14, 2016, the following presentation was given regarding how faith communities can address racial justice. It was facilitated by Nicole Germain from the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
Understanding Racism
Understanding Racism, is a unique online approach to this emotional and complex issue through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. This resource provides a safe, prayerful and thought-provoking interactive learning experience to guide a community in productive, action-oriented discussions. Essential concepts in Open Wide Our Hearts - the bishops pastoral letter on racism - are woven through every lesson.
Topics include: understanding race as a learned social construct, differentiating between prejudice and racism, recognizing and deconstructing implicit bias, identifying white privilege, rejecting color blindness, and practicing strategies for change. Throughout Understanding Racism, participants will engage the wisdom of Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, Fr. Bryan Massingale, Jane Elliot, Ruby Bridges, Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, as well as Sacred Scripture and foundational Catholic Social Teaching documents.
Understanding Racism is a production of St. Mary’s Press.
Link for more information and to request a review experience.
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