Some time ago, the U.S. Bishops Conference wrote an instruction (a pastoral letter) called Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. In this instruction, they call for a conversion of hearts, minds, and institutions to address the evils of racism that still exist in our country and communities: “Racism occurs because a person ignores the fundamental truth that, because all humans share a common origin, they are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God. When this truth is ignored, the consequence is prejudice and fear of the other, and—all too often—hatred.”
The killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on May 25, was very traumatic and appalling. It is crucially important to acknowledge the anger, pain, and sadness this and other encounters between police officers and black men evoke not only in Minnesota, but throughout the country and in our own faith family as well. These deaths are tragic, and they expose a symptomatic and deep-seated connection between institutional racism and the continued erosion of the sanctity of life. If we do not respond appropriately as a society, we will be tacitly acquiescing to the ongoing killing of unarmed black men. The senseless taking of life defies the fundamental principles of justice, every notion of dignity, and the fact that all of our lives are connected. As human beings, we are responsible for each other.
It is important to acknowledge that policing is an honorable profession filled with honorable public servants, committed to protecting life and serving the community. But everyone engaged in law enforcement must hold accountable any officers seen doing something that is unsafe, out of policy, unacceptable or illegal; they need to act and, if someone’s life is unnecessarily in danger, it is their responsibility to intervene. As Catholics, we are called to the same standards of behavior. We cannot stand by and not respond to incidents of racism and inhuman treatment of our black brothers and sisters, or anyone else.
Whether citizens or officers of the law, we are all part of a community that is responsible to care for each other. Our time-honored Catholic social teaching about the common good demands no less of any of us.
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
More on racism as a “life issue”
More on racism as a “spiritual virus”
To participate in a “virtual vigil” through Campus Ministry at the University of Portland (Monday, June 1 at 7:30pm)
