We need to pray for an end to racism!
Pope Francis recently addressed the racial tension in the United States in both a video and tweet. The statements come in response George Floyd’s death.
Here’s the tweet below:
The full tweet reads, “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form. At the same time, we have to recognize that violence is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost. Let us pray for reconciliation and peace.”
The pope also responded to the violence and civil unrest in a video statement.
Here’s the video below:
Click here if you cannot see the video above.
The translated video says:
“Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern, the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd.
“My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form, and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.
“At the same time, we have to recognize that ‘the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost’.”
“Today, I join the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis and in the entire United States in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd, and all others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism.
“Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world.”
What the Catholic Church teaches about racism and discrimination:
“Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.
“The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it:
“Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design. (CCC, 1934-1935)
“There exist also sinful inequalities that affect millions of men and women. These are in open contradiction of the Gospel:
“Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace.” (CCC, 1938)
Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for our nation!
[See also: Was St. Augustine Black? The Skin Color of the Church’s Greatest Theologian]
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