IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH'S
ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT*
JUSTICE, PEACE, AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC)
In solidarity with the community of Buffalo, NY, Immaculate Conception Church mourns the 10 lives lost last Saturday. We also stand with all communities that have suffered from racist hate crimes and gun violence in denouncing the beliefs and policies that have led to these events.
Saturday’s attack was not an isolated event. Rather, it is yet another example of how racism continues to
thrive–terrorizing and traumatizing people of good will, especially our brothers and sisters of color.
Saturday’s attack also was not the result of mental illness. Rather, it was the result of an intentionally cultivated mindset that upholds white supremacy. Earlier this year, the IC Promoting Human Dignity team sponsored a trip to Stagville, a plantation on the border of Durham. On our guided tour, we heard a piece of Durham’s history with slavery and how Black people continued to be disenfranchised even after its end. Slavery thrived because of a white supremacist mindset that some people were superior to others and that for the sake of wealth and status, it was acceptable to brutalize and exploit the “other.”
While the shooting in Buffalo and others like it are blatant examples of the violence of racism and white supremacy, these ideologies more subtly kill human life and its dignity on a daily basis, including:
As Catholics called to uphold the dignity of the human person, we cannot tolerate racist ideologies and the systems that perpetuate them. Our solidarity in mourning must become solidarity in action. We are blessed to live in an active parish community that provides many options for individuals and families to do the work of dismantling racism in all its forms. Here are some key ways you can take action:
Each Easter season, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the invitation to new life that it brings. Our readings from the Acts of the Apostles paint a picture of communities animated by the risen Christ banding together to speak the truth and care for those on the margins. In a few weeks, we will close out this season with the feast of Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that emboldened the disciples to do the work of building God’s kingdom. Spurred by the reminders of this liturgical season, let us go forth doing the work of dismantling racism and white supremacy to build a kingdom where all are welcome and justice reigns.
Saturday’s attack was not an isolated event. Rather, it is yet another example of how racism continues to
thrive–terrorizing and traumatizing people of good will, especially our brothers and sisters of color.
Saturday’s attack also was not the result of mental illness. Rather, it was the result of an intentionally cultivated mindset that upholds white supremacy. Earlier this year, the IC Promoting Human Dignity team sponsored a trip to Stagville, a plantation on the border of Durham. On our guided tour, we heard a piece of Durham’s history with slavery and how Black people continued to be disenfranchised even after its end. Slavery thrived because of a white supremacist mindset that some people were superior to others and that for the sake of wealth and status, it was acceptable to brutalize and exploit the “other.”
While the shooting in Buffalo and others like it are blatant examples of the violence of racism and white supremacy, these ideologies more subtly kill human life and its dignity on a daily basis, including:
- Over-policing of people of color that leads to disproportionate representation in our prison system
- Devaluation of homes in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods that inhibits the growth of generational wealth and limits people’s access to basic services and necessities
- Lack of attention within the healthcare system that leads to poorer health outcomes and even death, especially as seen with COVID-19, and longer term, by the huge disparities in both infant mortality and the likelihood that a mother will die giving birth
- Anti-immigrant language and policies that can force people to remain in dangerous conditions or force them into vulnerable positions
- Exclusionary discipline practices in schools that remove students from classrooms, affecting their educational opportunities
- Exploitation of the lands of indigenous people that disrupts their way of life and contributes to climate change
- Policies and practices that seek to discourage and/or prohibit people from voting
- Language and policies that devalue indigenous and immigrant cultures and force assimilation to white “American” culture
As Catholics called to uphold the dignity of the human person, we cannot tolerate racist ideologies and the systems that perpetuate them. Our solidarity in mourning must become solidarity in action. We are blessed to live in an active parish community that provides many options for individuals and families to do the work of dismantling racism in all its forms. Here are some key ways you can take action:
- Learn and serve. Join one of the adult faith formation activities on racism and issues of equity hosted throughout the year by the Promoting Human Dignity team. (Contact: Catherine Pleil). Additionally, consider participating in one of the many ministries offered by the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation teams to provide direct service to people on the margins. (Contact: Ken Chiha, IC Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation {JPIC}).
- Speak up and speak out. Share your learnings and experiences with others, especially when someone expresses the idea that some people are more deserving than others. You can also encourage our diocese, the US Catholic Conference of Bishops, and the global church to denounce racism by sharing your thoughts in the ongoing synodal activities. (Contact: Cecilia Barja).
- Advocate and vote. IC is among the congregations that participates in Durham CAN and DCIA, which addresses issues such as housing, immigration, and criminal justice reform in our local community. Similarly, members of our parish have joined the Poor People’s Campaign in its commitment to local and national justice reforms. Join parishioners in these events to hold civic leaders accountable. Finally, while the primaries are finished, all citizens of age should vote in the general election in November.
Each Easter season, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the invitation to new life that it brings. Our readings from the Acts of the Apostles paint a picture of communities animated by the risen Christ banding together to speak the truth and care for those on the margins. In a few weeks, we will close out this season with the feast of Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that emboldened the disciples to do the work of building God’s kingdom. Spurred by the reminders of this liturgical season, let us go forth doing the work of dismantling racism and white supremacy to build a kingdom where all are welcome and justice reigns.
*This statement has been prepared by the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Promoting Human Dignity team of Immaculate Conception Parish, Durham, NC
© All rights reserved.
If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact me directly.
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - [email protected]
If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact me directly.
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - [email protected]