The Sin of Racism
Open Wide Our Hearts & Church Teaching
Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39).”
– U.S. Bishops, Open Wide Our Hearts
Other Church Documents
- Fratelli Tutti (2020) – Pope Francis
- The Church and Racism: Toward a More Fraternal Society (1988, rev. 2001) – Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
- Brothers and Sisters to Us (1979) – U.S. Bishops
Statements
- Archbishop Hartmayer releases statement in wake of racial violence, protests
- Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and Protest in American Cities
- Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
- Pope Francis: No tolerance for racism, but without violence
- Archbishop Lori: How church teaching can help explain why ‘Black Lives Matter’
Resources
USCCB
Contact Information
Kat Doyle, Director
kdoyle@archatl.com
P: 404-920-7897
F: 404-920-7896
Resources
Getting Started
Videos
- How to Talk About Racism – 3 Part Series ( Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 )
- Protagonists of Change: Youth, Racism, and the Role of Faith
- Empowering Church Leaders to Address Racism
- Empowering Church Leaders to Address Racism: Continuing the Conversation
- Just Mercy: An Opportunity for Church Leaders to Address Racism
Articles
Books
Intermediate
Videos
Articles
Books
- Racial Justice and the Catholic Church (2010) – Bryan N. Massingale
- Uncommon Faithfulness: The Black Catholic Experience (2009) – M. Shawn Copeland
- The Cross and the Lynching Tree (2011) – James H. Cone
Challenging
Videos
Articles
Books
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) – Robin DiAngelo
- How to Be an Antiracist (2019) – Ibram X. Kendi
