Racial Justice and the Catholic Church

by Bryan N. Massingale

Overview

Confronting racism is difficult but essential work if we are to heal the brokenness in our society and our church. In the author's words, "We all are wounded by the sin of racism... How can we struggle together against an evil that harms us all?" Racial Justice and the Catholic Church examines the presence of racism in America from its early history through the Civil Rights Movement and the election of Barack Obama. It also explores how Catholic social teaching has been used--and not used--to promote reconciliation and justice.
Massingale writes from an abiding conviction that the Catholic faith and the black experience make essential contributions in the continuing struggle against racial injustice that is the work of all people. His book is essential reading for all those concerned with justice and healing in our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608331802
Publisher:	Orbis
Publication date:	07/28/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	536 KB

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

1 What Is Racism? 1

An Explanation of Terms 2

Prelude and Context: The Election of an African American President 3

The Browning of America and Racial Resistance 9

Racism and Culture 13

To What End? The Justification of White Privilege 33

Conclusion 41

2 An Analysis of Catholic Social Teaching on Racism 43

Prologue: A Context for This Discussion 44

Discrimination and the Christian Conscience (1958) 50

The National Race Crisis (1968) 55

Brothers and Sisters to Us (1979) 61

Analysis of Recent Statements by Individual Bishops 70

Critical Observations concerning Catholic Social Teaching on Racism 74

A Concluding Black Catholic Reflection: “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” 78

3 Toward a More Adequate Catholic Engagement 83

The Challenge of Racial Reconciliation 85

Other Resources in the Faith Tradition 103

Compassion and Intentional Cross-Racial Solidarity 116

Church Practices That Facilitate Racial Solidarity 120

Concluding Reflection: A Confession of Faith 125

4 “A Dream Deferred” Meditations on African American Understandings of Justice and Hope 130

The Fundamental Principle or Norm: Universal Inclusion 132

The Unstated Vision: The “Welcome Table” and the “Beloved Community” 135

Theoretical Implications of This Vision 143

The Importance of Hope in the Pursuit of Justice 145

5 The Vocation of the Black Catholic Theologian and the Struggle of the Black Catholic Community Speaking Truth to—and from—Two Traditions 151

The Vocation of the Black Scholar 153

The Vocation of the Catholic Theologian 157

The Vocation of the Black Catholic Theologian 159

The Challenges of the Black Catholic Theological Vocation 162

The Struggles of Being a Black Catholic Theologian 167

The Joys of Being a Black Catholic Theologian 169

The Significance of the Black Catholic Theological Vocation 172

Epilogue 175

Notes 181

Resources for Further Reflection and Understanding 213

Index 217