Combating Racism
Combating Racism and Discrimination
Working Together to Eliminate Racism and Discrimination
Catholic teachings on social justice and dignity and value of all human life is powerful! However, it is not always as well known as many of the other teachings. Access the resources below for more information about the teachings of our faith and several other helpful sources to work toward equality for all.
Resources to Address Racism and Discrimination
- Despite centuries of injustice, the church is worth fighting for – U.S. Catholic (*NEW)
- How a small church in St. Amant inspires inclusivity amidst isolation – inRegister
- The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it – National Catholic Reporter
- Racism pastoral letter aimed to help eliminate sin of hate – Chicago Catholic
- A Bishop Speaks Out About Racism: An Interview With Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry – Church Life Journal
- Countering the sin of racism involved building relationships – Diocese of Crookston
- Bishops offer action steps to address issues of racism – Chicago Catholic
- A Response to Racism – Commonweal Magazine / Podcast
- Catholic schools face questions over connections to Columbus, Serra – National Catholic Reporter
- Name Changes Aim to Build a More Inclusive USD Campus – University of San Diego News Center
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack – the National SEED Project
- Pandemic & Privilege – Pax Christi USA
- A Guide to the Discussion You Are Scared to Have Right Now – Great Place to Work
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice – Equity Includes You
- How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism? – America Magazine
- To fight racism, Catholics must hunger for justice like we do for the Eucharist – America Magazine
- Does Black Life Matter? – by Dr. Ansel Augustine
- St. Peter Claver Pastor: ‘White supremacy has cost someone their life’ – The Catholic Spirit, Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis newspaper
- Black Catholics: Words not enough as church decries racism – Associated Press
- What so many get wrong about racism in the workplace – a collection of Racism in the Workplace Statistics and simple steps to fight against it by Fingerprint for Success
- The National Black Catholic Congress* (NBCC)
- What’s Our Story: NBCC Young Adult and Teen Webinar Series. A 10-Month series starting August 2, 2020 at 6 PM ET
- Upcoming and past Webinar Presentations from NBCC
- Sr Thea Bowman Speech to US Catholic Bishops 1989 – NBCC
- Xavier University in Louisiana – America’s only Historically Black and Catholic University
- The Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit – Webinars:
- The Institute for Black Catholic Studies*
- The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver*
- National Association of Black Catholic Administrators (NABCA)
- The Black Catholic Theological Symposium (BCTS)
- National Black Sisters’ Conference
- National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC)
- USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs*
- Black Faith Matters (VIDEO) – Spirit Juice
- Causes for Sainthood (Five African American candidates for sainthood) – Catechist Cafe
- Race in America: A Free Dialogue Guide – Essential Partners (NEW)
- Anti-Racist Resources for Parents – Program for Early Parent Support (NEW)
- 10 Anti-Racist Resources for Parents – Moms Clean Air Force (NEW)
- Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity: A Catholic Encounter with Restorative Justice – Liturgical Press / Catholic Mobilizing Network (NEW)
- The Art of Accompaniment – Catholic Apostolate Center* (NEW)
- Living Room Conversations – a conversation model developed by dialogue experts
- Talking about Race with Teenagers: A Youth Leader’s Guide – Fuller Youth Institute*
- Anti-Racism Resources Handout – from How to Talk About Racism Webinar series (NFCYM)
- At The Table – Life Teen*
- Talking race with Youth – Princeton Theological Seminary
- Everyone Belongs Activity Guide (for Grades 1-5) – Loyola Press and USCCB*
- Questions to Facilitate Encounter – USCCB*, We Are Salt and Light
- Four Courageous Conversations About Racism and Violence in America Participant Worksheet – from Mustard Seed Consultants
- Intercultural Competencies for Ministry – USCCB*
- Understanding Racism – A lesson on racism by Saint Mary’s Press*
- Social Justice Resources – Knights of St. Peter Claver*
- Requiem for Black Children of God – Lyke Conference (NEW)
- Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism
- Prayer to Heal Racial Division
- Prayer for Peace in our Communities
- Prayer of the Faithful Against Racism
- COVID-19: A Prayer of Solidarity
- Racial Examination of Conscience – USCCB*
- Justice and Peace Prayer
- Guided Reflection from Grotto Network
Pope Francis:
- Address by Pope Francis to the General Audience on the death of Mr. George Floyd
- Pope Francis and U.S. Bishops Respond to George Floyd’s Killing – VIDEO from Catholic Mobilizing Network and Catholic Communication Campaign
USCCB* Bishops:
- Statements:
- The archbishop’s Holy Week statement on Racism – Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., of Atlanta (NEW)
- Systemic racism is real, and all Americans play a role in addressing it – Cardinal Cupich and Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D., Chicago Tribune
- Let the Church Roll On (Text) – (Video) – Bishop Fernand J. Cheri, III, OFM
- Letter from Bishop Thomas Zinkula on Racism – Diocese of Davenport
- Bishop issues Black Lives Matter statement – Bishop Anthony Taylor, Diocese of Little Rock
- Pastoral Response to Racism – Bishop Timothy Doherty, Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
- Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
- Bishop Shelton Fabre on the Death of George Floyd (VIDEO version of the Statement of U.S. Chairmen)
- Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis – Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda, Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
- Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles
- Statement from Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory regarding the Death of George Floyd
- Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on the murder of George Floyd and its aftermath
- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley Statement on the killing of George Floyd
- Demand Justice – by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany
- Commission of Religious Leaders Statement on the Death of George Floyd – Archdiocese of New York
- Pastoral Letters:
- The Catholic Church and the Black Lives Matter Movement: The Racial Divide in the United States Revisited – A Pastoral Letter by Bishop Edward Braxton. 2016
- Made in the Image and Likeness of God: A Pastoral Letter on Racial Harmony, by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, S.T.D. 2006
- Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself: U.S. Catholic Bishops Speak Against Racism. 2001
- Dwell In My Love: A Pastoral Letter on Racism, by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. 2001
- What We’ve Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization from the Black Bishops of the United States. 1984
- Brothers and Sisters to Us: U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism. 1979
- Addressing Racism, Prejudices, and Migration – Diocese of Austin (NEW)
- Reachable Reconciliation – Vibrant Faith
- Catholic Anti-Racism Resources – Pax Romana
- Racial Equity Institute
- Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training
- PBS Wisonson Antiracism and Racial Justice resources
- Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism (for bishops and presbyters) – USCCB*
- Taking Steps Toward Anti-Racism – Life Teen*
- Helping young people make sense of injustice – Fuller Youth Institute*
- Anti-Racism Resources for White People resource list
- USCCB Website on Combatting Racism*
- Anti-Asian Racism and Christian Responses Webinar – Chandler School of Theology
- Racism: Authentic Conversations Between Young People and Clergy (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NFCYM
- Protaganists of Change: Youth, Racism, and the Role of Faith (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NFCYM
- How to Talk About Racism (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NFCYM
- How to Talk About Racism – Part 2: The Questions (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NFCYM
- How to Talk About Racism – Part 3: More Questions (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NFCYM
- Working for Racial Justice: Fr. Bryan Massingale – Ignatian Family Teach-in 2017
- What’s Our Story? – Where and How is Your Soil? (WEBINAR RECORDING) – NBCC
- Conversations on Race webinar series – Diocese of Bridgeport
- Catholic Youth Ministry LIVE: Conversation on Racism – Project YM*
- Black Lives Matter: Where Do We Go from Here? – Association of Theological Schools
- Coming Together: “The Ghosts of Hate” with Deacon Art Miller & “The Reforming Power of the Gospel” with Bishop Ed Scharfenberger – (RECORDING) Association of Catholic Publishers
- Reconciling the Body of Christ (An Interview with Fr. Josh Johnson) – (RECORDING) Ascension Press
- Coming Together: Talking with Kids and Teens about Racism (RECORDING) – Association of Catholic Publishers
- Racism in Our Streets and Structures: a Test of Faith, A Crisis for Our Nation – A webinar from Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life (RECORDING and RESOURCES)
- Top 5 Lessons from Pastoral Letter Against Racism (VIDEO) – Catholic Mobilizing Network
- “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” – 2017 Sphinx Organization orchestral piece
- Notes to the musical piece’s movements can be found here: Seven Last Words – Program Notes
*Resource is from an NFCYM member organization
