Theologians speak to need for racial justice
Over 300 theologians from around the country have signed a statement speaking to the moral need to address the racism in our country. "As Catholic theologians, we wish to go on the record in calling for a serious examination of both policing and racial injustice in the US. The time demands that we leave some mark that US Catholic theologians did not ignore what is happening in our midst – as the vast majority sadly did during the 1960s Civil Rights movement," they write. The statement calls for a multi-faceted approach to healing the wounds of racism and creating a better system of justice and policing in our country. Make sure to read the whole thing, it's impossible to simply excerpt.
The statement supports policy changes that activists have called for across the movement, from independent reviews of police conduct to a Truth and Reconciliation process. In addition, the recognize the work that individuals can do. They pledge to fast and pray for justice and commit to addressing the importance of racial justice in their teaching. "As part of this commitment," they conclude, "we pledge to continue listening to, praying for, and even joining in our streets with those struggling for justice through nonviolent protests and peaceful acts of civil disobedience."
The statement was signed by over 150 theologians from across the country, including Richard Gaillardetz, Miguel H. Diaz, Thomas P. Rausch, M. Shawn Copeland and Margaret A. Farley, and the list of signers continues to grow. Sr Sallie Latkovich says signing was a privilege. " I signed the statement on racial justice for several reasons," she says, "it speaks my personal commitment to anti-racism; I believe the statement with all of the signatures carries some weight and power; it challenges our own Church leadership to take real steps regarding racial justice--and as such, would be a model for the people of God. Thus, I could not not sign the statement; it was my privilege to do so." We thank these leaders for the witness and commitment to racial justice!
