A White Catholic's Guide to Racism and Privilege:
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Hear from the Author:
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Explore some of the resources from our past conversations:
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Explore the African American Experience:
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FROM THE OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS STUDY GUIDE: |
INTRODUCTION:
In November 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. In the letter, the bishops invite all people of faith to conversion. We are called to open our minds and hearts to Christ’s love for all people and to the experiences of those who have been harmed by the evil of racism. The letter and this accompanying study guide are for everyone. The process of praying through, reflecting upon, and acting upon the message of the pastoral letter is hard work, but it is work from which all will benefit. As the bishops write, “Each of us should adopt the words of Pope Francis as our own: let no one ‘think this invitation is not meant for him or her.’” We are all in need of “a genuine conversion of heart” and we must all actively participate in reforming those institutions and structures that still perpetuate racial inequality and harm our sisters and brothers. The bishops write, “Finally, too often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when individuals, communities, and even churches remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered." All who seek to open wide their hearts through prayerful engagement with this letter are invited to pray, listen, study, reflect, and respond. This study guide and the resources within are designed to complement the pastoral letter and will aid in grasping the spirit and intent of the letter. |
“The Christian community should draw from this central, ongoing encounter with Christ and seek to combat racism with love.”
– U.S. bishops, Open Wide Our Hearts |
LISTEN:
Many members of the body of Christ have suffered the pain of racism. In Open Wide Our Hearts, the bishops invite us to create opportunities to see Christ in our neighbors and to listen to their stories and experiences. As you prepare to read and reflect on the pastoral letter, it is critical to find opportunities to hear the real-life experiences of others. These experiences can make the message of the pastoral letter tangible and help prepare you to receive it. How and where can you hear these stories and experiences? These recent articles describe experiences with racism in the Church:
If you are studying the pastoral letter as an individual or family, think about how you can expand your awareness. If you have friends who are from cultural backgrounds different than your own, ask them to share their experiences with you. If you live, work, worship, or spend your free time in places where most people look like you, be intentional about expanding your circle and creating opportunities to form relationships with others. Become familiar with media sources frequented by other cultures. Visit cultural institutions such as museums commemorating the experiences of people of cultures different than your own. Invite people from different cultural backgrounds to church gatherings, bible studies, and social events and focus on listening and learning from them. If you are studying Open Wide Our Hearts as part of a group, the facilitator should create opportunities for storytelling and sharing experiences as part of or in preparation for your study of the pastoral letter. |
“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 to empathy to promote justice.”
– U.S. bishops, Open Wide Our Hearts |
RESPOND:
In Open Wide Our Hearts, the bishops call for “concrete action” by individuals, families, parishes, schools, and organizations to seek justice and right relationship in our communities. You can use this Process for Group Discernment to help identify the best ways to respond together. (Some of the questions in the resource can be helpful for individuals as well.) Links to examples of how other faith communities are putting faith in action to address racism are also provided on the last page of this guide. |
“Racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart.”
– U.S. bishops, Open Wide Our Hearts |