Black Moses Gets the Last Word in USA Today
CTA ED Black Moses got the last word in this USA TODAY article about the "emerging Catholic right"
“What these Catholic figures are pushing is a particular mission, value, way of being that is more connected to white American existence than it is Catholic existence,” Black Moses Rankins, who leads the progressive Catholic organization Call to Action, said in an interview.
With the start of Trump's second term, Rankins said Call to Action is planning on increasing its number of liturgies, educational efforts and tangible aid to marginalized groups as a means of putting their faith into practice.
Migrants in particular have become the “scapegoats for some of America’s greater ills,” Rankins said, adding that mass deportation is among his list of top concerns, alongside issues such as public education, wage equity and policing.
That’s partly why Francis’ appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy as Washington, D.C., archbishop is “such a light of hope” for Rankins. McElroy has said mass deportations are “incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” expressed support for women serving as deacons and called for greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the church.
When he spoke to USA TODAY before the inauguration, Rankins was preparing prayer petitions focused on support for marginalized groups for Call to Action’s planned Inauguration Day prayer service. But along with prayer, Rankins said he’s told concerned parishioners to take action and not allow certain individuals and groups to “misuse” Catholicism for political gain.
“Don’t just sit inside, don’t just hide,” Rankins added. “We need people to step up and show up as members of the body of God.”
Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.
