At #USCCB20, bishops will now discuss racism.
+Fabre, chair of ad hoc committee against racism, will initiate discussion.
+Fabre, chair of ad hoc committee against racism, will initiate discussion.
Yesterday, I spelled His Excellency's name incorrectly, several times. I apologize to His Excellency, and to you, dear reader.
The proper spelling is Shelton Fabre.
The proper spelling is Shelton Fabre.
+Fabre: Racially-related events of the last summer confirm the truth of "Open Wide Our Hearts," the USCCB's 2018 pastoral letter on racism.
+Fabre: The committee on racism has been working diligently in recent months, to engage with dioceses and others, amid the"challenging months" we have just faced.
I want to thank bps who have given time and attention to teach about and address racism in your dioceses.
#USCCB20
I want to thank bps who have given time and attention to teach about and address racism in your dioceses.
#USCCB20
#USCCB20 on racism:
Fabre- You bishops have worked diligently to address racism by engagement in various ways with faith leaders, people of color, media and others.
Mentions online exhibit inspired by pastoral letter in the Diocese of Green Bay
Fabre- You bishops have worked diligently to address racism by engagement in various ways with faith leaders, people of color, media and others.
Mentions online exhibit inspired by pastoral letter in the Diocese of Green Bay
#USCCB20 on racism:
+Fabre: God wants "zealous action," and bishops have given witness to that.
This conversation is intended to be a time of sharing about how bps have engaged "Open Wide Our Hearts," and worked to address racism, and seen positive fruit.
+Fabre: God wants "zealous action," and bishops have given witness to that.
This conversation is intended to be a time of sharing about how bps have engaged "Open Wide Our Hearts," and worked to address racism, and seen positive fruit.
#USCCB20 on racism:
Fabre: In parishes, dioceses, the USCCB, there has been hard, thoughtful, slow work on how to address racism.
"The work is hard, the work is slow, but the work is being done."
Fabre: In parishes, dioceses, the USCCB, there has been hard, thoughtful, slow work on how to address racism.
"The work is hard, the work is slow, but the work is being done."
+Fabre: 3 questions
-Were there people who experienced conversion through your efforts on this issue?
-How have you experienced the Holy Spirit?
-What efforts have yielded the most fruit? What were the challenges?
#USCCB20
-Were there people who experienced conversion through your efforts on this issue?
-How have you experienced the Holy Spirit?
-What efforts have yielded the most fruit? What were the challenges?
#USCCB20
+Fabre has been speaking in high schools and elementary schools, and working in his own diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
#USCCB20
#USCCB20
Particular bishops have now been asked to share, beginning with +Soto of Sacramento, Chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
#USCCB20
#USCCB20
+Soto:
I set up an anti-racism task group that has been very successful.
Particular fruits:
-there was initially parish and school resistance, but as we began to experience unrest and difficulties, perseverance and hard work of task group became apparent.
I set up an anti-racism task group that has been very successful.
Particular fruits:
-there was initially parish and school resistance, but as we began to experience unrest and difficulties, perseverance and hard work of task group became apparent.
+Soto:
As we began listening sessions, we heard a lot of pain around race. And that was uncomfortable as things that had been in darkness were brought to light. But I see that as a fruit, b/c confidence and trust grew, people were honest, and cards were on the table.
#USCCB20
As we began listening sessions, we heard a lot of pain around race. And that was uncomfortable as things that had been in darkness were brought to light. But I see that as a fruit, b/c confidence and trust grew, people were honest, and cards were on the table.
#USCCB20
+Soto:
Be prepared and welcome the difficult conversations. It doesn't feel like progress, but it is a sign of progress to have that honesty and that candor, and for us to learn the dynamics of listening respectfully, and of doing a deeper examination of hearts and institutions.
Be prepared and welcome the difficult conversations. It doesn't feel like progress, but it is a sign of progress to have that honesty and that candor, and for us to learn the dynamics of listening respectfully, and of doing a deeper examination of hearts and institutions.
+Soto:
We invited the one man play of Augustus Tolton to do six productions in the diocese.
The play created a context that ppl could hear and understand the current unrest, and especially anger and frustration in the Church, in a different way.
www2.stlukeproductions.com/dramas/tolton
We invited the one man play of Augustus Tolton to do six productions in the diocese.
The play created a context that ppl could hear and understand the current unrest, and especially anger and frustration in the Church, in a different way.
www2.stlukeproductions.com/dramas/tolton
+Soto:
The storytelling mode of the play made it possible for ppl to make themselves vulnerable and hear the experience of others.
It's hard work and takes time. PF in EG says "time is greater than space." This is important. Our desire to control can stifle good conversation.
The storytelling mode of the play made it possible for ppl to make themselves vulnerable and hear the experience of others.
It's hard work and takes time. PF in EG says "time is greater than space." This is important. Our desire to control can stifle good conversation.
+Soto: I was grateful that we were able to engage numerous "levels" in the diocese: presbyteral council, clergy, diocesan pastoral council, etc. We have a plan to carry the good work forward.
"Sorry for going over time."
#USCCB20
"Sorry for going over time."
#USCCB20
+Rozanski, newly of St. Louis:
Eradicating the sin of racism is near and dear to us.
Ferguson is close to the chancery. On Saturday I visited it and prayed at the place where Michael Brown was killed.
#USCCB20
Eradicating the sin of racism is near and dear to us.
Ferguson is close to the chancery. On Saturday I visited it and prayed at the place where Michael Brown was killed.
#USCCB20
+Rozanski:
The murder of George Floyd has changed the way we view race and urged us forward to eradicating it.
ArchSt.Louis has had listening session. Listening session and healing Mass in CathBasilica of St. Louis "was key in bringing the faithful of St. Louis together."
The murder of George Floyd has changed the way we view race and urged us forward to eradicating it.
ArchSt.Louis has had listening session. Listening session and healing Mass in CathBasilica of St. Louis "was key in bringing the faithful of St. Louis together."
+Rozanski:
+Carlson reestablished in 2015 Peace and Justice Commission. Archdiocese was a forerunner of desegregation in Catholic schools, but the office of human rights was eventually dismantled.
Commission, which established a racial equity task force, reinvigorated efforts.
+Carlson reestablished in 2015 Peace and Justice Commission. Archdiocese was a forerunner of desegregation in Catholic schools, but the office of human rights was eventually dismantled.
Commission, which established a racial equity task force, reinvigorated efforts.
+Rozanski:
Commission and task force established relationships with Black clergy coaltion for dialogue, and eventually hired a diversity and inclusion consultant for nine Catholic schools in the archdiocese.
Commission and task force established relationships with Black clergy coaltion for dialogue, and eventually hired a diversity and inclusion consultant for nine Catholic schools in the archdiocese.
+Rozanski:
Various offices, parishes, and deaneries have efforts, with the archdiocesan office of racial harmony. Some efforts focused on diversity and equity in Catholic education.
Various offices, parishes, and deaneries have efforts, with the archdiocesan office of racial harmony. Some efforts focused on diversity and equity in Catholic education.
+Rozanski:
One challenge is demonstrating importance of anti-racism work to Catholics, who sometimes do not understand those efforts.
One challenge is demonstrating importance of anti-racism work to Catholics, who sometimes do not understand those efforts.
+Lori of Baltimore:
Lori has written a pastoral letter of working towards racial justice and established a racial justice work group.
#USCCB20
Lori has written a pastoral letter of working towards racial justice and established a racial justice work group.
#USCCB20
+Lori:
Implementing suggestions of that work group and pastoral letter has included a lot of sifting, winnowing, and hard conversations. The work of the Holy Spirit present among them.
Appointed new leadership to Archdiocesan Black Catholic Office.
#USCCB20
Implementing suggestions of that work group and pastoral letter has included a lot of sifting, winnowing, and hard conversations. The work of the Holy Spirit present among them.
Appointed new leadership to Archdiocesan Black Catholic Office.
#USCCB20
+Lori:
Pastoral letter calls for archdiocesan wide conversations about race. Those conversations can be difficult and painful. Many ppl don't think they need to have those conversations "because they don't think they have a racist bone in their body."
#USCCB20
Pastoral letter calls for archdiocesan wide conversations about race. Those conversations can be difficult and painful. Many ppl don't think they need to have those conversations "because they don't think they have a racist bone in their body."
#USCCB20
+Lori:
Contracted with consultants, says they were "a little controversial," [I did not follow that controversy, but I'm interested- JD]
Consultants look at questions "where structural racism really can be there almost without one's noticing it" in archdiocese.
Contracted with consultants, says they were "a little controversial," [I did not follow that controversy, but I'm interested- JD]
Consultants look at questions "where structural racism really can be there almost without one's noticing it" in archdiocese.
+Lori:
"Goal is not just to respond to a tumultuous year... but to change in a fundamental way how the Archdiocese of Baltimore operates."
#USCCB20
"Goal is not just to respond to a tumultuous year... but to change in a fundamental way how the Archdiocese of Baltimore operates."
#USCCB20
+Lori:
As Black Lives Matter signs appeared, we needed language to understand what that phrase means, so I was "kicked in the pants by the Holy Spirit," to write an article seeing Black Lives Matter through Catholic social teaching.
americamagazine.org/faith/2020/07/…
As Black Lives Matter signs appeared, we needed language to understand what that phrase means, so I was "kicked in the pants by the Holy Spirit," to write an article seeing Black Lives Matter through Catholic social teaching.
americamagazine.org/faith/2020/07/…
+Lori:
Article has done a lot of good, to see that phrase in a Catholic way, also to help us understand where there might be difficulties or danger in that phrase.
#USCCB20
Article has done a lot of good, to see that phrase in a Catholic way, also to help us understand where there might be difficulties or danger in that phrase.
#USCCB20
+Lori:
Archdiocese building new urban school to give "a Catholic education as good as can be had in wealthy suburbs."
Archdiocese building new urban school to give "a Catholic education as good as can be had in wealthy suburbs."
Now floor open for any bishop.
+Sample of Portland.
Can't make his audio work.
Can't make his audio work.
+Sample, audio working now:
I wanted to weigh in as Abp of Portland, because Portland became a national symbol and "quite a spectacle."
"Really a hijacking of the righteous, and lawful, and needed peaceful protesting" for equality.
"That's not who we are in Portland."
I wanted to weigh in as Abp of Portland, because Portland became a national symbol and "quite a spectacle."
"Really a hijacking of the righteous, and lawful, and needed peaceful protesting" for equality.
"That's not who we are in Portland."
+Sample:
"These are groups that hijacked the movement."
Emphasis taken off "issue at hand" by violent protestors who seemed not to "remember" George Floyd or the core issues.
"These are groups that hijacked the movement."
Emphasis taken off "issue at hand" by violent protestors who seemed not to "remember" George Floyd or the core issues.
+Sample: We need to know the history of African Americans.
Oregon has "a very sad history," with serious KKK influence. "It's rather shocking."
#USCCB20
Oregon has "a very sad history," with serious KKK influence. "It's rather shocking."
#USCCB20
+Sample: Hispanic community "continue to experience racism," as does Asian community, "especially in the wake of the coronavirus." Asian community "felt in the crosshairs."
I want to applaud +Lori.
I want to applaud +Lori.
+Sample: We need to be careful about adopting simple catchphrases. We need to speak from our own Catholic tradition. If we lived by Catholic social teaching, we'd have so many fewer problems.
USCCB pastoral letter on racism is a great gift to move hearts.
#USCCB20
USCCB pastoral letter on racism is a great gift to move hearts.
#USCCB20
+Burbidge of Arlington:
Thanks to +Fabre for traveling to conduct listening sessions and leading committee.
Listening session allowed us to particularize conversation about racism to our own local Church. Listening session really changed that. That led to an advisory council.
Thanks to +Fabre for traveling to conduct listening sessions and leading committee.
Listening session allowed us to particularize conversation about racism to our own local Church. Listening session really changed that. That led to an advisory council.
+Burbidge:
Advisory council on racism is focused on understanding, conversion, and action.
1st step is to help all in diocese understand what real problems are. That happens through listening.
Conversion: Really speaking heart to heart. Helping priests to do that from pulpit.
Advisory council on racism is focused on understanding, conversion, and action.
1st step is to help all in diocese understand what real problems are. That happens through listening.
Conversion: Really speaking heart to heart. Helping priests to do that from pulpit.
+Burbidge:
Council will come up with a plan with achievable ways to address racism, and "with God's help, bring about change."
#USCCB20.
Council will come up with a plan with achievable ways to address racism, and "with God's help, bring about change."
#USCCB20.
+Seitz of El Paso:
2019 mass shooting killing 23 ppl in a Wal-Mart "brought home that white supremacy is not a harmless fringe ideology but a death-dealing ideology."
Brought home that words that denigrate people of color really matter.
2019 mass shooting killing 23 ppl in a Wal-Mart "brought home that white supremacy is not a harmless fringe ideology but a death-dealing ideology."
Brought home that words that denigrate people of color really matter.
+Seitz:
Shooting gave me a sense of calling to write pastoral letter about racism on the border. Racism toward Hispanics.
Pastoral letter:
elpasodiocese.org/uploads/5/4/9/…
Shooting gave me a sense of calling to write pastoral letter about racism on the border. Racism toward Hispanics.
Pastoral letter:
elpasodiocese.org/uploads/5/4/9/…
+Seitz: Church can be a leader, speaking from the dignity of the human person.
We created a commission on race and equity for the community. I am "using my pulpit, if you will," to invite civic and business leaders to come together.
We created a commission on race and equity for the community. I am "using my pulpit, if you will," to invite civic and business leaders to come together.
+Seitz:
We may establish a truth commission based on the model of South African, Guatemala, and Colombia truth commissions.
#USCCB20
We may establish a truth commission based on the model of South African, Guatemala, and Colombia truth commissions.
#USCCB20
+Seitz:
We're looking at history and attitudes towards native Americans, Latinos, and immigrants, to understand how attitudes and pracitces impact today.
We're looking at history and attitudes towards native Americans, Latinos, and immigrants, to understand how attitudes and pracitces impact today.
+Silva of Honolulu:
There are some forms of a more hidden racism that don't make the news very often.
There are some forms of a more hidden racism that don't make the news very often.
+Silva
One discriminated community are Micronesians. The U.S. did nuclear testing in their area. "How much more racist could you be." Many now have health issues. As reparation, they are permitted to come to the US, and their healthcare is paid for by the fed govt.
One discriminated community are Micronesians. The U.S. did nuclear testing in their area. "How much more racist could you be." Many now have health issues. As reparation, they are permitted to come to the US, and their healthcare is paid for by the fed govt.
+Silva:
Micronesians not always seen, but we have begun to notice them. They are people are "at the bottom of the economic totem pole," more exposed to the virus, and they typically can not afford to live in nice houses, so there are often several generations and families.
Micronesians not always seen, but we have begun to notice them. They are people are "at the bottom of the economic totem pole," more exposed to the virus, and they typically can not afford to live in nice houses, so there are often several generations and families.
+Silva:
We engage the leaders of the community and are listening to them and accompanying them and helping to address the needs of their communities.
This has drawn attention to the issue of racism with regard to the Micronesians.
We engage the leaders of the community and are listening to them and accompanying them and helping to address the needs of their communities.
This has drawn attention to the issue of racism with regard to the Micronesians.
+Silva:
It is "important not just to focus on those who get the media attention, but to notice those who perhaps no one else notices and who are suffering because of racist issues against them."
#USCCB20
It is "important not just to focus on those who get the media attention, but to notice those who perhaps no one else notices and who are suffering because of racist issues against them."
#USCCB20
+Gomez: This is a very useful discussion, but we have now run out of time. I hope we can find ways to continue this very important conversation. I want to thank +Fabre for his work.
Msgr Brian Bransfield will give closing remarks. I'm going to a new thread.
Msgr Brian Bransfield will give closing remarks. I'm going to a new thread.
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