A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 13 of 19)
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RACISM
 Goal #2
Black Catholics need to inform themselves and others about the impact that
racism has had within the Church and society. This should also lead to promoting
reconciliation.
Steps to Achieve Goal #2
#1 Disseminate information from the teaching of the Holy See and the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in ways that can be easily
received by Catholics in this country.
#2 Promote education about the presence of
peoples of African descent in the Bible and in the history of the Catholic
Church.
#3 Promote programs that successfully have
facilitated discussion about racism and the need to promote reconciliation.
Goal #3
Black Catholics, who are adequately trained in various academic disciplines,
including theology, should make themselves available as resource persons to
address any racial incidents that may occur and to provide viable solutions to
overcome them.
Goal #4
The Catholic Church in the United States will embark upon concentrated,
simultaneous, continuous plans of action to address racism.
Steps to Achieve Goals #3 and #4
#1 Steps listed for the first two goals also contribute to this one.
#2 An example of concentrated, sustained, and
continuous action to address racism would be if a month or week were designated
during which national Catholic organizations (not just Black organizations)
would address the issue in our parochial, diocesan, educational, medical, and
social service institutions, and in various media.
SACRAMENTAL FOUNDATIONS THAT HELP OUR EFFORTS TO
BEAR FRUIT
Sacrament of Baptism ~ As members of the Body of Christ, we recognize the
diversity of members with a variety of spiritual gifts given by God to
contribute to building up the Church. Saint Paul tells us that we cannot deem
anyone in the Church as insignificant.
Sacrament of Reconciliation ~ We take
responsibility for our actions by examining our consciences, rejoicing in the
blessings that we have received and repenting of any sins we have committed. We
confess our sins with a firm desire to turn away from what leads us to sin so
that we may live in fidelity to the Gospel. We trust in the forgiveness of sins
as we hear the bishop or priest offer the Prayer of Absolution. Then we are
encouraged to be an ambassador of reconciliation toward others. Our lives can
serve as a testimony that people can change for good.
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