Week 4

What role do churches play in eradicating racism?


This episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man
addresses the topic.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

In what ways is the Catholic Church silent on the issue of racism?   How does it speak out against or for racism?  How do the people in the pews think and act in regard to racism?

What “things” do we as Church “set in the other room?”  What “things” as individuals do we set in the other room?
How close are our principles – individually and as Church – to our public?

How do you see the “Ocean of Justice” team working in our Church?  What changes do we need to make as a parish to become more just?
If Jesus was marching on earth today, what do you think we would find him in regard to racism?

On a scale from 1 -10, with 1 the most denial, where is our Church (the People of God) in denial on racism?

Sister thea Bowman, who is in the process of canonization, was an Educator, Missionary Disciple, Advocate for Cultural Awareness and Racial Harmony in Jackson, Mississippi.   You can learn more about this holy woman here.

As Hurricane Laura is causing devastation on the Gulf coast of Louisiana, consider this report regarding the racial impact of Hurricane Katrina.  

In the coming weeks, monitor the aftermath of Laura in terms of ways people are treated and the ways in which they are provided the basic neccessities of life.  

Today is the Feast of St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church.  St. Augustine wrote 96 books during his lifetime.  The two most famous are his biography, Confessions and City of God. Saint Augustine’s writings covered a huge range of subjects such as morals, history, philosophy, and heresy. Christian churches throughout the world have used Augustine’s works as major references. Pope Leo X admired St. Augustine so much, that he allowed this bishop’s feast to be honored the same as those of Christ’s Apostles.
Scholars generally agree Augustine and his family were Berbers, an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, but were heavily Romanized, speaking only Latin at home as a matter of pride and dignity. In his writings, Augustine leaves some information as to the consciousness of his African heritage.
 

Harvard University's Project Implicit has developed online tests that spark conversation about our attitudes toward a variety of social groups.   You may be interested in taking one or more of them.  You can find them here.