AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Bishops establish an Ad Hoc Committee "against the sin of racism"

Monday, 28 August 2017 local churches   rascism  

CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

Washington (Agenzia Fides) - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has established an Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, which will focus on addressing the sin of racism in society, and even in the Church, and the urgent need to come together as a society to find solutions. "Recent events have exposed the extent to which the sin of racism continues to afflict our nation", said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, President of the USCCB, according to the statement sent to Fides. "Prejudice can lurk unnoticed in the soul. Without prayerful reflection, it can feed on the fear of what is different. It can grow into overt racism - said the Cardinal -. But self-reflection is not enough. It must lead to action. The work of the USCCB serves as a call to conversion for those hiding behind white hoods and Nazi symbols. The vile chants of violence against African Americans and other people of color, the Jewish people, immigrants, and others offend our faith, but unite our resolve. Let us not allow the forces of hate to deny the intrinsic dignity of every human person. Let the nation and world see the one body of Christ move to the defense of our sisters and brothers who are threatened".
Bishop George V. Murry, SJ of Youngstown, Ohio has been appointed by Cardinal DiNardo as Chairman of the committee. The membership of the committee will be finalized in the coming days and its mandate will be confirmed at the first meeting, expected very shortly. "I look forward to working with my brother Bishops as well as communities across the United States to listen to the needs of individuals who have suffered under the sin of racism and together find solutions to this epidemic of hate that has plagued our nation for far too long", says Mgr. Murry. "Through Jesus' example of love and mercy, we are called to be a better people than what we have witnessed over the past weeks and months as a nation. Through listening, prayer and meaningful collaboration, I'm hopeful we can find lasting solutions and common ground where racism will no longer find a place in our hearts or in our society". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 28/8/2017)


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