A letter to the faithful on the sin and evil of racism

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the last few months, our communities have experienced frustration and disappointment attributed not only to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to the social unrest associated with the recent deaths of Black men and women by law enforcement. While stay-at-home orders have been necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to keep us safe, many are feeling the effects those orders are having on the economy and our families. Even more damaging is how as Black, Hispanic/Latino and low socioeconomic communities are being disproportionately infected with and dying from the virus.

In our communities, we find people who are hurting as a result of the scourge of racism, xenophobia, prejudice and bias. We have painfully witnessed how our brothers and sisters of color are continuing to struggle and suffer in this “land of the free.” While we are grateful for the needed service good law enforcement officers provide our communities, when those who are sworn to serve to promote justice and the common good in society abuse their power, we cannot simply run away, turn a blind eye or hide. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.”

Racism is sinful and evil and has been tolerated far too long in our society. As many people of goodwill are protesting, standing up and speaking out about the evil of racism and injustices, we must not allow the narrative to be overtaken by some who are subverting the sincere and genuine fight for dignity and justice.

In recent weeks, there have been many concerns from the faithful about the term “Black Lives Matter.” While there is a strong temptation for some people to answer, “Black Lives Matter” with “All Lives Matter,” history shows that our society does not regard Black lives in the way it does other lives. As many choose to deny this reality, studies have shown that the numbers of inmates of color are disproportionate when compared to other races. In fact, not only are Blacks incarcerated at more than five times the rate of Caucasians, Blacks are also more likely to experience traffic stops, searches and juvenile arrests, and receive harsher sentences and greater length of sentencing, according to a study the U.S. bishops conducted on the Criminal Justice System.

While Black Lives Matter has become a broad social movement. We cannot allow our authentic understanding of the concept of Black Lives Matter to be summarily dismissed because some organizations that employ the term have objectives contrary to Church teaching. As Catholics we must see Black Lives Matter as a rallying cry devoted to the sanctity of human life. We are called to nurture and protect life from conception to natural death. While living and acting in conformity with the Gospel, we must continue to draw a distinction between the life-affirming concept of Black Lives Matter and organizations with radical agendas. We must allow our perspective of Black Lives Matter to be formed using a lens tempered by the Gospel of Life, as opposed to the Marxist-inspired ideology promoted by others. Our response in this regard will provide meaningful encounter, dialogue and accompaniment within our communities and families.

Many feel the Church has been silent or indifferent about racism in its institution and society. This movement has compelled the Church in the United States to speak more boldly against the scourge of racism. Countless bishops are speaking out clearly against this evil against the sanctity of life. Nevertheless, words are not enough to effect lasting change, we must begin in our families. Our homes must be the first schools of love for God and neighbor. Our homes are where we learn love, compassion, respect, mercy and forgiveness. Racism is a learned behavior; thus, we must teach and show our children the intrinsic value of every human life.

We are called to steadfastly engage our families, parishes and communities on the topic of racism. As people begin to unpack racism, which is often an uncomfortable topic, we must resolve to recognize it, name it, acknowledge it, atone for it (where appropriate) and endeavor to practice it no more. Tackling racism within the framework of the Gospel of Life will serve us well in expressing in a pointed way that there is no place for racism in the human heart. Through liturgical catechesis, we can express communion with our brothers and sisters of all colors, as we are marked by the oneness proclaimed in the Creed professed during the Sunday Eucharist.

Priests and deacons must preach against racism, to take personal responsibility to eradicate racism and to encounter and accompany all parishioners. We encourage the faithful to make use of the resources published by the USCCB (www.usccb.org/racism), particularly “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter Against Racism. The bishops remind us in the letter, “To work at ending racism, we need to engage the world and encounter others — to see, maybe for the first time, those who are on the peripheries of our own limited view.” Such encounters will bring about the needed transformation of our understanding of true life, charity and justice in society.

As we align our actions with God, we are encouraged to freely commit ourselves to Him by being kind and tenderhearted to each other, forgiving one another, as He in Christ forgave us (cf. Ephesians 4:32). To authentically love the Lord, our God, with the whole heart, soul and mind, we accept that every person is created in His image and likeness. In truly loving one another, we will the good of each other, and we completely fulfill the law.

Living daily in a society that is becoming increasingly secular, there is an even greater need to hold fast to our faith and hope in our God of infinite mercy and love. May we go forth to open wide our hearts!

Sincerely in Christ,

F. DeKarlos Blackmon        
Life, Charity and Justice

Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez
Bishop of Austin