Combatting Racism

Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family,  blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. (Brothers and Sisters to Us, US Bishops Pastoral Letter, 1979)

As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice. (Open Wide Our Hearts, US Bishops Pastoral Letter, 2018)

Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. If this is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. (Dr. Martin Luther King, 1964)

Resources for more on the Catholic response to racism:

• USCCB Combatting Racism
• USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism
• Open Wide Our Hearts
• Brothers and Sisters to Us
• Pope Francis Condemns Sin of Racism
• Prayer to Overcome Racism
• Cardinal DiNardo Statement
• Archbishop Gomez Statement 
• Jeff Cavins & Fr. Josh: Reflecting on Racism
• Jeff Cavins & Fr. Josh: Healing Divisions
• Dcn Harold Burke-Sivers: Catholic Response to Racism
• Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism
• Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good