“We cannot be a church that is true to the demands of the Gospel if we do not act justly, if we do not act to root out racism in the structures of our society and our church. And we cannot achieve personal holiness if we do not love tenderly, if we do not love and respect all human beings, regardless of their race, language, or ethnic heritage.”
Those words from Archbishop Harry J. Flynn are as true today as they were when he published them in his pastoral letter, “In God’s Image,” in 2003. As Christians, we are called to enter into prayer and dialogue with our sisters and brothers of all races to listen to each other’s experiences and together work for understanding, peace and justice.
Announcements / Statements / Letters
From Archbishop Hebda
- Statement Regarding Guilty Verdict in Derek Chauvin Trial
- Healing a Wounded People
- Archbishop Hebda: How We Respond as Catholics
- Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis
- Letter to Faithful from Archbishop Hebda on Immigration Sunday MN 2017 and National Migration Week
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- In Wake of Kenosha Violence, U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Committee Against Racism Urges Day of Prayer and Fasting
- Bishop Chairmen Call for Better Police Formation and Accountability
- U.S. Bishops Receive Call of Encouragement and Assurances of Prayer from Pope Francis in the Wake of Social Unrest in the United States
- Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities
- Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
Practicing Catholic Podcast
- Dr. Kate Walsh Soucheray, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shared about what we can do to respond to racism in authentically helpful and positive ways.
- Bishop Cozzens (now Bishop of Crookston) challenged us to think about God’s justice in the wake of the Derek Chauvin trial.
Videos
Archbishop Bernard Hebda shares a message of peace ahead of the Derek Chauvin trial and requests prayers from the faithful.
The prayer service above was held on the Archdiocesan Day of Prayer and Fasting Against the Sin of Racism, December 2, 2020.
Pastoral Letters
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- In God’s Image: Pastoral Letter on Racism by Archbishop Harry Flynn
- Letter from Archbishop Harry Flynn (English, Spanish)
- Discussion Guide
- Homily Help
- Parish Bulletin Inserts
- Spanish Bilingual Conversation Resource Guide
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Give Support
In response to turmoil and unrest in our community initiated by the unjust death of George Floyd, the Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund (MCRF) provided an opportunity to support our neighbors in need. Find out more about Neighbors in Need.
News
The Catholic Spirit: Local News
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Catholic Charities teams up with MPR News for Racism in Housing webinar
- MCC webinar focuses on Church’s response to racism
- Long-time St. Paul civil rights activist was there the day MLK inspired the nation
- Sign of the Times: What to Make of Black Lives Matter
- Priest’s ministry helps support Catholic minority leaders
- African American Catholic school family reflects on racism
- New CCF fund established to help Minneapolis families rebuild lives upended by riots
- Testimony matters; addressing racism
- From prayer to art: George Floyd in Mary’s arms
- Catholic teaching and the death of George Floyd
- Black Catholic’s challenge to fellow Catholics: Make change by living out faith principles
- Archbishop Hebda: Floyd’s death demands preaching Gospel, examination of conscience
- At site of Floyd’s death, Catholics reflect on personal experiences of racism
- Why a parish just for black Catholics? (Catholic Hotdish)
The Catholic Spirit: U.S. and World News
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Jesuits pledge $100 million to benefit descendants of enslaved people
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On ‘Today’ show, Cardinal Gregory reflects on his faith journey, racism
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Black Catholic is trailblazer in science; she has been geneticist for 56 years
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Catholic Health Association launches initiative to confront racism
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Fired EWTN host: ‘I will never, ever, ever have regrets’ talking about race
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In year of racial reckoning, Catholics joined protests, prayers
- Artist gives modern (and multiracial) face to Catholic saints
- Panelists say Father Tolton’s example offers path to racial justice
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Knights of Columbus called to redouble efforts to fight racism, violence
- Teach us to fight racism
- What Father Tolton might say about today’s racial injustices
- Pope prays with Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, calls racism a pro-life issue
- Gomez: Killing of Floyd is a ‘sin that cries out to heaven for justice’
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Rich heritage: Black sisters, priests mark 50 years of shaping church
Additional News
Resource Links
- Practicing Catholic Show (formerly the Rediscover Hour) segments addressing racism:
- USCCB: Combatting Racism
- National Black Catholic Congress
- Minnesota Catholic Conference: Bridge Builder Podcast, “Christine Emba on the Catholic Faith, Racism, Monuments, and How the Church Can Respond”
- The Holy See: General Audience June 3, 2020
- USCCB African American Affairs Resources
- Timeline of Black Catholic History in the U.S