At the November 2018 general meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the bishops overwhelmingly approved a pastoral letter to combat racism entitled “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.”
“The entire body of bishops felt the need to address the topic of racism, once again, after witnessing the deterioration of the public discourse, and episodes of violence and animosity with racial and xenophobic overtones, that have re-emerged in American society in the last few years,” said Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, La., chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. “Pastoral letters from the full body of bishops are rare, few and far between. But at key moments in history the bishops have come together for important pronouncements, paying attention to a particular issue and with the intention of offering a Christian response, full of hope, to the problems of our time. This is such a time.”
“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” asks us to recall that we are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God. Because we all bear the image of God, racism is above all a moral and theological problem that manifests institutionally and systematically. Only a deep individual conversion of heart, which then multiplies, will compel change and reform in our institutions and society:
“What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversion is a long road to travel for the individual. Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make that journey.”
— Joseph T. Purello
At www.usccb.org/racism: Read the full pastoral letter or a shorter summary and find links to related resources, including a “Prayer Service for Racial Healing in Our Land” (available in English and Spanish).