Gloria Purvis on Juneteenth, racism and the Catholic Church: ‘Sin can outlive those who commit the sin’

June 20, 2024 | America Magazine

By Christine Lenahan | America Magazine

Juneteenth derives its name from June 19, 1865, when the Union Army emancipated the enslaved peoples of Galveston, Tex. One year later, the Black community in Texas gathered to celebrate their freedom, thus beginning an annual commemoration that spread nationwide. In 2021, President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

For U.S. Catholics, Juneteenth serves as a moment of reflection as the church continues to grapple with the sin of racism that plagues our politics, our nation and our ministry.

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