Racism: sin that divides human family, lies within hearts

As we continue to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and its impact on our health and our economy, the social disease of racism in our country has also come to light in a compelling way. During this already difficult time, confusion, mistrust, anger and anxiety have all helped to bring to light an extremely contagious and dangerous outbreak of hate.

We are all equally made in the image and likeness of God. Racism occurs when this fundamental truth is ignored. It denies the teaching of Jesus and our common, created humanity. Racism is a sin that divides the human family.

Sadly, over the past few months, with the spread of the coronavirus, we have seen this division. Members of the Asian-American community became targets of hate and scapegoating, blamed for bringing and spreading the virus to the United States. There have been reports of verbal harassment, shunning and discrimination against Asians and people of Asian descent across the country, as well as around the world.

The pandemic has also laid bare the structural inequities in healthcare, economics and the criminal justice system all at once. This is evidenced by the disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths among African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans. For instance, while African Americans make up only about 13 percent of the population, they represent nearly one-third of U.S. deaths from the virus.

The tragic killing of George Floyd, points to a growing number of injustices against people of color and highlights the need for systemic reform and an end to discriminatory practices.

In November 2018, in response to the persistent evil of racism in our country, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral letter entitled, “Open Wide Your Hearts — the Enduring Call to Love.” Recognizing that racism still profoundly affects our culture, the pastoral letter is a call to a “genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society.” The document calls each of us to spend time understanding our role in enabling racism to continue to impact our communities and prompts us to take action.

We need to address this national plague with the same intensity we are using in our efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 virus. The root of racism is never “someplace else” but rather it lies within the human heart. We each can contribute to a civilization of love or of hate. Racial healing begins by a greater acceptance of our own humanity as a gift from the Father, and then, a recognition that every person is a child of the One Father. Let us turn to Our Blessed Mother and ask her for the graces needed to overcome the evil of racism and build a just society. Let us ask that prejudice and animosity no longer infect our hearts or minds but be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person. 

Gratefully, there have been some very good pastoral responses in our diocese to the wound of racism. As you know, we have gathered as a diocesan family in a time of sustained prayer as our first greatest strength. Pope Francis at a recent general audience in Rome asked us to turn to the “the Divine Heart, full of peace and love where we can entrust all the anxieties of our hearts and our imperfect love. From the pierced heart of the Savior flows, for all humanity, the source of all consolation and the ocean of Divine Mercy. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours!” 

In this month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we in our diocese have dedicated each Friday for special livestreamed prayer for justice, peace and healing in our nation. We began with a livestream prayer service from Holy Family Parish in New Brunswick at the Sacred Heart worship site. Our Director of Vocations, Father Mauricio Tabera Vasquez, presided. Father Alphonsus Kariuki, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Dunellen and coordinator of the African Apostolate, presided there at our second prayer service. I presided at the next livestreamed service on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, June 19, at our Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. Our Vicar General, Father Timothy Christy, will preside at the final prayer service on the last Friday of the month, June 26. It will be livestreamed from The Church Sacred Heart of Jesus in South Plainfield.

I am grateful, too, that all our parishes are participating in a novena to St. Katherine Drexel, the patron saint of racial justice; the saint we pray to for an end to racism. This began June 19 and will end June 27. Sustained prayer will pave the way to peace and justice in our land.

In addition to our livestreamed prayer services, I have also held a listening session with some of our black students from our Catholic high schools. It was enlightening but painful to listen to how racism has affected their lives. They also expressed hope as the response by so many, uniting together to address this scourge, has been inspirational to them. We are blessed by our youth, again!

Please know of my love and concern for all of you. At its foundation, racism is a spiritual problem. We cannot overcome it by our determination alone but need God’s help. We are blessed with the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance to assist us. As the world at times seems to be moving further away from God, we all must recommit ourselves to seeing with eyes of faith. God our Father looks with love at each of us. May we have His vision, the vision of the Kingdom of God.

Most Reverend James F. Checchio,  JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen