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August 14, 2020Recent events have made racism a local and national topic.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design.”
In a recent column titled “Racism is a Life Issue,” Archbishop Coakley wrote “We are broken hearted, sickened and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our very eyes. What’s more astounding is that this is happening within mere weeks of several other such occurrences. This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion.”
“Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient. It is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy-going wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy and justice.”
Parishioners at several Catholic churches in the archdiocese have gathered to seek ideas on how to break down the walls of racism and ensure that all of the congregation feels welcomed.
Father Daniel Grover, pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, said his parishioners were worried that the world was turning back the pages of history 50 years.
“A lot of my parishioners were worried about their kids again. They have not worried as immensely as they have in the past couple of years,” Father Grover said.
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Catholic Church hosted a Mass and Eucharistic Procession with Archbishop Coakley with prayer to end racism and to protect life.
“It is important for us to stand up for peace and for us to stand up for the dignity of the human person,” Father Grover explained.
“Being in the heart of the city, I see the Catholic Church as the forerunner of social justice. It just seemed right that we would do something to support all lives. It gave us the opportunity to stand up for peace, stand up for the dignity of the human person, and to stand against any form of racism. Coming together at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on the Feast of Corpus Christi to recognize the dignity of the human person as the Body of Christ was fantastic.”
Lisa Schmidt from Saint Thomas More University Parish in Norman said Saint Thomas Moore has taken steps to address the issue of racism. A total of 16 parishioners are involved in JustFaith Ministries and Racial Equity module. They meet via Zoom to share ideas and use resources such as “I’m Still Here,” by Austin Channing Brown and “40 Days of Prayer,” compiled by Cheri Mills as a part of a structured curriculum developed by JustFaith Ministries.
Nancy O’Connell from Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman said, “Saint Joseph’s Church, for many years, has devoted an incredible amount of time and energy to promoting multi-cultural diversity and a welcoming environment, especially as it relates to the Hispanic community.”
“Over the past 10-plus years, the parish added two Spanish Masses, hired staff who are bi-lingual, added signing in Spanish as well as English, etc. The parish also has used programs such as Bridge Builders that promote understanding and the building of inter-cultural relationships.”
O’Connell added that with the recent series of national incidents, their Peace and Justice group met with Father Joseph Irwin, pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, to explore how they should respond as Catholics – standing in solidarity with those oppressed, educating each other, recognizing and rooting out racism, and promoting authentic and loving relationships.
In addition to churches, some Catholic based organizations also have addressed the subject. On July 14, the Tekakwitha Conference held a virtual panel discussion about racism and its effects on the American Indian community. The discussion was centered on the “Open Wide Our Hearts,” letter from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that addresses the impact of racism.
As churches and organizations gather to help end racism, many saints such as Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Josephine Bakhita, Saint Peter Claver, Blessed Emilian Kovch, Venerable Henriette Delille, Servant of God Augustus Tolton, and Servant of God Bartolome de las Casas, stand as patrons to pray and intercede.
Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Prayer to end racism
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other. We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another. We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society. We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person. Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.
Read or download “Open Wide Our Hearts” at usccb.org/resources/open-wide-our-hearts_0.pdf.
