Racial Justice Resources

The Office is Social Justice and Respect Life has assembled a growing list of resources on the topic of Racial Justice that includes information and links from the Vatican, USCCB, Bishops and various Catholic and Christian sources as well as other sources that help to support Catholic understanding of the sin of racism. These are organized under the following topics: Church Statements on Race and Racism, Videos to Watch, Backgrounders on Racism, Articles, Study Guides, Prayers, Books, Other Resources, Audio Resources, Websites. These are also listed in a downloadable.pdf. Note that we will be updating this periodically as new resources are found. Updated on 1/28/2021. 

Church Statements on Race and Racism 

Open Wide Our Hearts the Enduring Call to Love: A Pastoral Letter against Racism. USCCB, 2018.  https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf   Spanish: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts-spanish.pdf

Brothers and Sisters to Us: U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism. USCCB, 1979. https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs/brothers-and-sisters-us

Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests, 2020.: https://www.usccb.org/news/2020/statement-us-bishop-chairmen-wake-death-george-floyd-and-national-protests

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities, 2020: https://www.usccb.org/news/2020/statement-us-bishops-president-george-floyd-and-protests-american-cities Spanish: https://www.usccb.org/es/news/2020/comunicado-del-presidente-de-la-conferencia-episcopal-sobre-george-floyd-y-las-protestas

Seitz, Bishop Mark. Night Will Be No More: Pastoral Letter Responding to Racism, Xenophobia, Hatred, and White Supremacy. Diocese of El Paso, 2019. https://www.hopeborder.org/nightwillbenomore-eng
Spanish: https://www.hopeborder.org/nightwillbenomore-spa

Archbishop John C. Wester Urges the Faithful to Participate in Prayer & Action for Racial Justice, 2020: https://files.ecatholic.com/17613/documents/2020/6/200601PRPrayforRacialJusticeFINAL2Combo.pdf. Spanish: https://files.ecatholic.com/17613/documents/2020/6/200601PRPrayforRacialJusticeSPANISHFINALCOMBO.pdf

Olmsted, Most Reverend Thomas J.  Mass for Forgiveness of the Sin of Racism Homily. Diocese of Phoenix, 2020. https://dphx.org/father-forgive-the-sin-of-racism/

Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D., Most Reverend Edward K. The Catholic Church and The Black Lives Matter Movement: The Racial Divide in the United States Revisited. Bellville, 2016. https://richmonddiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RACIAL-DIVIDE-REVISITED.pdf

Reconciled through Christ: On Reconciliation and Greater Collaboration between Hispanic American Catholics and African American Catholics, USCCB, 2013.

Flynn Archbishop Emeritus, Most Reverend Harry J.  In God’s Image: Pastoral Letter on Racism. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, 2003. https://www.archspm.org/in-gods-image-pastoral-letter-on-racism/

Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself: U.S. Catholic Bishops Speak against Racism, 2001.

On Racial Harmony A Statement by the Administrative Board of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, August 23, 1963.

USCCB. Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers. Washington D.C., 2011. https://store.usccb.org/Building-Intercultural-Competence-for-Ministers-p/7-887.htm

USCCB. Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers Modules. Washington D.C., http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/intercultural-competencies/

We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight: The Church’s Response to Racism in the Years Following Brothers and Sisters to Us, USCCB, October 2004.

What We Have Seen And Heard: A Pastoral Letter On Evangelization From The Black Bishops Of The United States, 1984.

Selected Quotes from Discrimination and Christian Conscience, a statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 14, 1958.

Videos to Watch 

"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion": Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BY9UEewHw&feature=youtu.be 

Let's get to the root of racial injustice | Megan Ming Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aCn72iXO9s

Fr. Bryan Massingale: How the church can combat racism and white privilege | Behind the Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONiie2oYJCQ (June 5, 2020)  U.S. unrest: Pope condemns 'sin of racism’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2owd-efm4&feature=emb_logo

A Parish Journey for Racial Justice and Equity: https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2020/07/20/video-a-parish-journey-for-racial-justice-and-equity/
 
USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Diocese of Houma Thibodaux’s opening reflection from the Virtual Social Action Summer Institute (SASI) by Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/vJUkIb_7qTw3TIKUsASDU6d5W420e_qs0ydK_vEJz02yBXcCNwClYrREY7GgBg_OTrCrtHna4zx46pBR?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=tXA3fCILRDenOkHb0GMIZQ.1597780143982.8667576e380c7f648d4b2f93ac3bf0eb&_x_zm_rhtaid=993

Webinar on Racism in our Streets and Structures: https://catholicsocialthought.georgetown.edu/events/racism-in-our-streets-and-structures 

New Orleans Auxiliary Bishop Fernand Cheri III, OFM, gave a keynote address for the 2020 Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) National Assembly, "Repentance and Reconciliation" on Aug. 4, 2020: https://youtu.be/9m7njR9cu2w

Catholic Mobilizing Network’s video on Racism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXydrXXGLI&feature=emb_title

Backgrounders on Racism

What is Systemic Racism? https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-systemic-racism.pdf

Racism and Economic Inequality https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-economic-inequality.pdf

Racism and Education https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-education.pdf

Racism and Employment https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-employment.pdf

Racism and Housing https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-housing.pdf

Racism and Migration https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-migration.pdf

Racism and the Criminal Justice System https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-criminal-justice.pdf

Racism and the Native American Experience https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-native-american-experience.pdf

Racism and Voting ​https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/racism-and-voting.pdf

Articles

Okińczyc-Cruz, Michael N. and Adrienne Alexander. “Black and Latino Catholics agree: Our Lives Matter.” America Magazine, 17 August 2020. Ariel, Courtney.

“For our white friends desiring to be allies.” Sojourners, 16 August 2017. Elie, Paul.

“Confronting Flannery O’Connor’s Racism.” Commonweal, 12 August 2020. Wezerek, Gus.

"Racism’s Hidden Toll.” The New York Times, 11 August 2020. Roque, S.J., Jorge.

“Mundane Racism | Know Justice, Know Peace: A Jesuit Antiracism Retreat.” The Jesuit Post, 5 August 2020.

Fontánez, S.J., Ángel Flores. “Racism and White Supremacy | Know Justice, Know Peace: A Jesuit Antiracism Retreat.” The Jesuit Post, 3 August 2020.

Kellerman, S.J., Chris. “Catholic 101: Church Teaching and the Anti-Racism Movement” The Jesuit Post, 30 July 2020.

Lori, William E. “Archbishop Lori: How church teaching can help explain why ‘Black Lives Matter’.” America Magazine, 27 July 2020. Martinson, Sophia (CSN).

“Fighting racism means putting faith in action, say Black Catholics.” America Magazine, 27 July 2020.

Saint-Jean, S.J., Patrick. “The Hole Left Behind by John Lewis.” The Jesuit Post, 21 July 2020.

Briggs, Ken. “Combating racism means confronting housing bias.” National Catholic Reporter, 3 July 2020.

Catholic News Service. “Bishops urge Congress to address better police training, accountability.” National Catholic Reporter, 25 June 2020.

Crary, David. “Black Catholics: Words are not Enough as Church Decries Racism.” AP News, 21 June 2020.

Tang, Flora X. “How Catholic vigils for racial justice can center the black experience.” America Magazine, 16 June 2020.

Thomas, Ruby. “Black Catholics at march say church’s support needed more than ever.” Crux, 13 June 2020.

Remedios, Jesse. “Where can I learn more about environmental racism?” National Catholic Reporter, 11 June 2020.

McCormick, S.J., Sullivan. “6 Guidelines I’ve Learned for Talking About Race.” The Jesuit Post, 9 June 2020.

Saint-Jean S.J., Patrick. “How Catholics Can Work for Racial Justice.” US Catholic: Faith in Real Life, 9 June 2020. https://www.uscatholic.org/articles/202006/how-catholics-can-work-racial-justice-32095%20

“Required Reading: A Black Catholic Syllabus.” US Catholic: Faith in Real Life, 5 June 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202006/required-reading-a-black-catholic-syllabus/

Massingale, Fr. Bryan N. “The assumptions of what privilege and what we can do about it.” National Catholic Reporter, 1 June 2020.

Segura, Olga. “How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism?” America Magazine, 29 May 2020.

Massingale, Fr. Bryan N. “If Bishops Want to Face Racism, Own Your Own Complicity.” Crux, 24 August 2017.

Lift Every Voice: A Lenten Journey Toward Racial Justice.” Edited by Ignatian Solidarity Network; Over 25 Authors from the Ignatian Network, 2016.

Massingale, Fr. Bryan N. “Unpacking the “Soul-Sickness” of Racism.” Our Sunday Visitor, 13 July 2016.

Massingale, Fr. Bryan N. “African American Catholics and the Quest for Racial Justice.” U.S. Catholic, 18 January 2015.

Copeland Ph.D., M. Shawn. “Revisiting Racism.” America Magazine, 7 July 2014.

Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D., Most Reverend Edward K. “What can the Catholic Church learn from #BlackLivesMatter?” America Magazine, 16 May 2006. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2016/05/03/what-can-catholic-church-learn-blacklivesmatter

Study Guides

Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Death Penalty study guide on Just Mercy: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/just-mercy-catholic-study-guide

Everyone Belongs Study Guide from Loyola Press: https://store.loyolapress.com/site/assets/discussion-gd/EveryoneBelongsActivities_Intro-Gr5.pdf

Examining Our Subconscious Perceptions: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/examining-our-subconscious-perceptions.pdf
Spanish: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/examining-our-subconscious-perceptions-spa.pdf

JustFaith Ministries has three programs on Racial Justice for small group reflections available for purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=uNEtuvGRXjU&feature=emb_logo

 Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege Faith and Racial Equity introduces a framework for understanding and recognizing racial disparities and takes a deeper dive into specific issues related to power and privilege.
 Faith and Racial Healing: Embracing Truth, Justice, and Restoration This eight-week program guides participants in telling the truth about the history of racism in the United States, that we might work toward true reconciliation with God and restoration with one another.
 Faith and Racial Justice: Changing Systems and Structures This 8-session program invites participants to formulate their own Christian-rooted responses to racism in their churches, workplaces, and communities.

Open Wide Our Hearts Study Guide from USCCB: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/study-guide-open-hearts-2019-09.pdf

Prayers

A Prayer Service for Racial Healing in Our Land | U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

An Examen for White Allies | Ignatian Solidarity Network

An Ignatian Prayer Vigil for Lamentation and Racial Justice | Ignatian Solidarity Network

Black Catholic History Rosary | U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dr. Kirk P. Gaddy

God of the Journey: 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March Prayer | U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Fr. Manuel Williams, C.R.

Prayer Dismantling Racism | Pax Christi USA

Prayer for the Elimination of Racism | Sisters of Mercy

Prayer for Racial Healing | Catholic Charities USA

Prayer Resources | USCCB

Prayer Service for Peace in Our Communities | Archdiocese of Santa Fe African American Catholic Community with Archbishop John C. Wester, June 3, 2020 on St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Facebook link

Prayer Service for Peace in Our Communities | Archdiocese of Santa Fe African American Catholic Community with Archbishop John C. Wester, June 3, 2020 on YouTube

Prayer Service | St. Louis University Response to Ferguson

Prayers of the Faithful Against Racism | U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Stations of the Cross: Lament for Racial Injustice | Anti-racism Implementation Team, Archdiocese of Chicago

Prayer Deliver Us From Evil | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Prayer for an End to Racism | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Prayer for the Healing of Racism | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Prayer Service in a time of Community Distress | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Racism: Prayers and Reflections | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Reflection: A Voice for Liberty and Justice | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Reflection: Catholic Social Thought and Racial Solidarity | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Reflection: Catholic Social Thought and Racism | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Reflection: Racism | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Books

African American History in New Mexico: Portraits from Five Hundred Years, edited by Bruce A. Glasrud, University of New Mexico Press, 2013.

Chatelain, Ph.D., Marcia. Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America . Liveright, 2020. Copeland, Ph.D., M. Shawn.

Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being (Intersections in African American Theology) . Fortress Press, 2009.

Cone, James. The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Orbis Books, 2013.

Davis, Cyprian. The History of Black Catholics in the United States. Herder & Herder, 1995.

Dyson, Michael Eric. Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America. St. Martin’s Press, 2017.

Kendi, Ibram X. How to be an Antiracist. One World, 2019.

Massingale, Fr. Brian. Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. Orbis Books, 2010.

Massingale, Rev. Bryan. Racial Justice in the Catholic Church, 2010.

McIntosh, Peggy. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, 1989.

Menakem, Resmaa. My Grandmother’s Hands. Central Recovery Press, 2017.

Mikulich, Alex, et al. The Scandal of White Complicity in U.S. Hyperincarceration. Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Pramuk, Christopher. Hope Sings, So Beautiful: Graced Encounters Across the Color Line. Michael Glazier, 2013.

Saad, Layla F. and Robin J DiAngelo. “Me and White Supremacy.” Sourcebooks, 2020. Available as eBook at MRC.

Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. One World, 2015. Book available at the MRC.

Thomas, Angie. “The Hate U Give.” Harper Collins, 2017. Available as eBook at the MRC.

USCCB. Everyone Belongs. Loyola Press, 2019. Available at the MRC or purchase here.

Wallis, Jim. America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America. Brazos Press, 2017.

Other Resources

A list of various reading materials: https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/ncr-today/anti-racism-reading-list-ncr

Acknowledging Systemic Racism and Unpacking Whiteness | NETWORK

African Americans in process of Sainthood https://www.nbccongress.org/black-catholic-sainthood.html Books on

Racism Resource | Sisters of Mercy

Classroom Resources | Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching for Tolerance

Combatting Racism—Educational Resources from USCCB: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-
committee-against-racism/combatting-racism-educational-resources

Combatting Racism—Parish Resources from USCCB: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism/combatting-racism-parish-resources

Creative Voice: Celebrating African American History Month An Interview with Donna Toliver Grimes | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Creative Voice: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Reflection by Ronaldo M. Cruz | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Discussion Guide: 13th Movie | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Diversity & Anti-Racism Tools for Engaging Communities | Training For Change

Fact Sheet: The Catholic Church’s Response to Racism | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Fact Sheet: Rosa McCauley Parks: Taking a Stand for Justice | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Know Justice, Know Peace: A Jesuit Anti-Racism Retreat | The Jesuit Post

Letter from a Birmingham Jail Study Guide | U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Not as Helpless as We Think: 3 Ways to Stand in Solidarity with Ferguson | Sojourners

Race on Campus Archive | The New York Times

Racial Justice Movie List Handout | Education for Justice, a Project of Center of Concern

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html Talking About Race

National Museum of African American History and Culture USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism Resources: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism

Audio Resources

On Being with Krista Tippett: Resmaa Menakem "Notice the Rage; Notice the Silence"

Podcast: Olga Segura on having frank conversations about race. America Magazine, 12 June 2020.

Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church Podcast Bishop Edward K. Braxton, America Magazine, 5 May 2016.

“A Parish in the Black Catholic Tradition.” Morning Glory Podcast from EWTN, 12 August 2020, https://www.ewtn.com/radio/podcasts/morning-glory-~HD.

Alexander, Michelle. “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarnation in the Age of Colorblindness 10th Anniversary Edition.” Recorded Books Inc., 2010. Audiobook Available at MRC.

“Catholics and Racial Justice.” Morning Glory Podcast from EWTN, 14 August 2020, https://www.ewtn.com/radio/podcasts/morning-glory-~HD.

“Racism and the Catholic Response in Detroit with Archbishop Vigneron.” Eyes on Jesus Podcast from Unleash the Gospel, 10 June 2020, https://www.unleashthegospel.org/episodes/episode-10-racism-and-the-catholic-response-in-detroit/.

Thomas, Angie. “The Hate U Give.” Harper Collins, 2017. Audiobook Available at MRC.

Archdiocese of Baltimore-Journey to Racial Justice: https://www.archbalt.org/racismpastoral19/

Archdiocese of Hartford—Office for Catholic Social Ministry: http://www.catholicsocialjustice.org/racial-justice.html

Archdiocese of Santa Fe African American Catholic Community: https://archdiosf.org/african-american-catholic-community

Cultural Diversity in the Church: https://www.usccb.org/committees/cultural-diversity-church Diocese of Orange—Advocacy Issues: https://www.rcbo.org/resource/about-life-justice-and-peace/racism/

Diocese of Pittsburgh–Catholic Voices on Racism: https://diopitt.org/catholic-voices-on-racism PBS Race the Power of an Illusion: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

Required reading: A Black Catholic syllabus: A reading list on the history of Black Catholics in the United States and their contributions to Catholic theology, history, and activism: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202006/required-reading-a-black-catholic-syllabus/

The National Black Catholic Congress: https://www.nbccongress.org/