‘Worship of a False God’ | Commonweal Magazine
An Interview with Bryan Massingale – By Regina Munch June 5, 2020. Fr. Bryan Massingale is a professor of theology at Fordham University, and the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. Assistant editor Regina Munch recently spoke with Fr. Massingale about the racist policies and structures in the country and the Church for the Commonweal Podcast. Drawing on his training in theology and his personal experiences of racism, Fr. Massingale highlights the necessity of moving from anger to action in order to dismantle racism wherever it’s experienced. You can listen to the full episode here. A transcript of the interview follows.
Regina Munch: Fr. Bryan, we’re talking now as activists and protesters nationwide are demanding justice for George Floyd and seeking an end to systemic white supremacy. You wrote an article for National Catholic Reporter in which you say that Amy Cooper holds the key to understanding racism in the United States. What did you mean by this?
Fr. Bryan Massingale: Great question. Thank you. Let me tell you a bit about … (read more…)
“Does thinking about racism make you uncomfortable?” &
“Does Talking About Racism Make You Uncomfortable?”
Father Bryan Massingale, Catholic theologian and author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, speaks on the need to have uncomfortable conversations. He discusses the need to be courageous as we examine racism in our communities and Church, and commit to learning and to challenging it at every step. Let’s focus on the heart of what Father Massingale is saying. Read it here… ‘Worship of a False God’ | Commonweal Magazine …
- Racial Justice NEXT STEPS and TAKE ACTION LIST
- Racial Justice – Racism Resources
- Racial Justice – What Can I Do?
St. Francis Parish – Racial Justice: Subcommittee on Racism
Read the book, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church By Bryan N. Massingale, as well as, the USCCB Pastoral Letter on Racism: Open Wide Our Hearts.
Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, a Pastoral Letter Against Racism
An Introduction … On November 14, 2018, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved its most recent statement against racism. It calls for “a genuine conversion of the heart…that will compel change.” It understands that “when we start to see some people as “them”…we fail to love.” We are challenged “to walk humbly with God,” “opening doorways where once only walls stood.” Walls in our hearts, our communities, our Church.
Also see: http://usccb.org/racism
Related Materials & Resources: links to learn more about the Church’s official positions.
Vatican:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c2a3.htm
US Bishops
http://usccb.org/racism
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/african-american/brothers-and-sisters-to-us.cfm
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm
Diocese of Lansing:
https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/news/diocese-lansing-forms-task-force-race-and-catholic-schools
https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/outreach-ministry/multicultural-ministry
Also, see stfrancisa2.com/immigration/
See our Racial Justice Archives
Contacts: Scott Wright & Michelle Eiden, Subcommittee on Racial Justice, Peace and Justice Committee at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor.
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