Racial Justice Reflection Series – Welcome

“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.  Racism is a sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of race … it mocks the words of Jesus, ‘Treat others the way you would have them treat you.’” USCCB “Brothers and Sisters to Us” 1979

Welcome to St. Mary’s reflection series on Fr. Bryan Massingale’s book Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. Whether you are just beginning to read the book, have already finished or have it on your list to read over the Christmas break, we hope this blog series is relevant and meaningful to you. We hope this will be the starting point of a parish-wide conversation about our role in helping to recognize and heal the “soul sickness” of racism in ourselves, our church and our country.

As Fr. Massingale notes in the Preface to the book, “Racism is one of the central human rights challenges facing the country; it is the subtext of almost every social concern in our nation.” When we think about and try to address social concerns such as poverty, criminal justice reform, healthcare, capital punishment, and immigration reform, we must realize that these are all “entangled with or aggravated by racial bias against people of color”.

And yet, our Catholic faith calls us to hope. If we can begin the conversation, no matter how uncomfortable it may make us, we can move toward a new way of seeing and loving each other. As Fr. Massingale says: “The central message of the Catholic Christian faith is this: The wounds of racism are real and deep, but healing is possible.”

The Faith Doing Justice Ministry at St. Mary invites you into this conversation and this conversion. We hope that in reading and reflecting with each other, we can begin the healing of this “tragic brokenness in our society and church.”

If you were unable to join us for our kick off event last week, we invite you to watch this video of Fr. Bryan Massingale’s keynote speech at the Ignatian Family Teach In:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyMYQFjzmZQ

For more resources on the Catholic Church’s teaching on racism, see:  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/