Social Justice and African American Catholics
By Beatrice Parwatikar and Ralph McCloud
(Page 1 of 3)
"The second is like it, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself"
Matthew 22:39
African American Catholics nationally seem to be in the midst of a rebirth, a redefinition of who we are as African American and who we are as Catholics. This can be a direct result of the work and mission of many. Certainly this is happening because of the National Black Catholic Congress, the Black Sisters, the Black Clergy Caucus, the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, increases in membership in the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, the tremendous work of the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators and faithful people across the country who are finding renewed meaning in the relationship of who we are and what we do.
Despite these efforts our community finds itself in pain. Looking outside our spiritual sanctuaries, we find ourselves in some of the most desperate times in our history.
All is not lost; we have as our strength gifts that have sustained us for generations. We have a history of tenacity that has allowed us to sustain the most horrific treatment in the history of humanity and still survive as a people. We have a faith tradition that requires us to give special treatment to persons who are poor or marginalized. Ultimately we have the example and witness of Jesus who reminds us that like the first commandment requiring us to love God, the "second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself". Jesus we recall, was later asked, "Who is our neighbor?"
A question for us all, no matter where we reside, is how we measure our community or our efforts through the lens of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and though our unique call at this important era of our history.
Dignity of the Human Person
How is life defended, enhanced in our communities? How are we involved? Are there efforts to lobby as parish and community to remove the scourge of abortion from our laws? Are there efforts to assist prospective parents feel whole such that they will understand and appreciate the wonderful pro-creative powers of sex? Are we available for adoption and do we offer ourselves as support for persons who are considering adoption. Do we preach the importance of life in all stages and in all situations? Do we remind ourselves that after losing millions of persons in the middle passage, battling the ravages of slavery and Jim Crow, cruel segregation and oppression, we now find ourselves in danger of declining population and in a sense dishonoring our ancestors' toil and sacrifice?
Our teaching says…..
Life, especially human life, belongs to God; whoever attacks human life attacks God's very self.
- The Gospel of Life #9
If you answered "YES" to some of these questions, the Social Justice Commission wants to hear from you. Please tell us your success stories about engaging Black Catholics in social justice ministry.
Publish your response to the NBCC Forum, Social Justice Commission at
http://www.nbccongress.org/forum/.
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