dwell together in love. After reflecting on the historical,

  Educate for ministry in a racially, ethnically and

social and economic dimensions of our complicity with

culturally diverse Archdiocese. 

the sin of racism, we ask as Catholics for the grace of

  Implement the Archdiocesan purchasing policies, which

conversion from the sin of racism, which has separated us

commit us to doing business with minority vendors. 

from our neighbor and from God.

  Join support groups working for racial justice in the

The Church was born with the descent of the Holy

workplace, i.e., Project Equality. 

Spirit on the Virgin Mary and the apostles and on the

  Avoid investing in companies that tolerate racism. 

nations gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Since that

  Advocate for improved public transportation, allowing

moment two thousand years ago, the indwelling of the

people in inner city and neighboring suburban

Spirit in the Church and in each of her members pulls us

communities to take jobs in outlying suburban areas. 

toward dwelling together in love. The gifts the Spirit

  Support church based community organizations that

brings transform all our relationships.

work for economic justice.

The Church in any society is to be a leaven. The

Church is always more than any particular place or society.

PARISHES

She finds her identity as Catholic, all embracing. If she is

  Participate in Archdiocesan programs, such as the

faithful to her Lord, the Savior of the world, the Church

Workshops on Racism and Ethnic Sensitivity, designed

will not only proclaim who she is but will herself act to

to bring about better race relations in the parishes and

become the womb, the matrix, in which a new world can

neighborhoods. 

gestate and be born. Listening and welcoming, the Church

  Foster hospitality in general but especially to those that

is a place of encounter, of racial dialogue and intercultural

are culturally different from the dominant culture of

collaboration. In a context of universal mutual respect

the parish. 

born of love, the Church offers the gifts that transform the

  Participate in programs to identify and nurture

world and bring salvation in this life and the next.

vocations among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians

and Native peoples as priests, deacons, religious women

4. CONCLUSION: AN AGENDA

and men, and lay ecclesial ministers.

FOR ADDRESSING RACIAL

  Identify demographic trends in the parish, specify the

particular issues of racial and ethnic diversity facing the

AND SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE 

parish and establish strategies to address these

Holy Scripture and Catholic social teachings proclaim the

challenges from a vision of faith. Network with other

dignity of the human person and enjoin us to reform the

parishes working for racial justice in their

structures of our society that ignore and undermine this

communities. Watch always for the destruction of

fundamental truth. We are called not only to a radical

neighborhoods by covert redlining. 

conversion of heart but to a transformation of socially

  Participate in civic and ecumenical/interfaith

sinful structures as well.

organizations that work to promote racial justice.

Following are some suggestions for taking the necessary

  Begin the  Welcoming Our Neighbor  process in the

steps to dwell in God's love and to address racial and

parish by sponsoring a couple of families to transition

systemic injustice:

out of public housing into the parish neighborhood. 

  Participate in the Archdiocesan Sharing Parish program

ARCHDIOCESE

and develop the sharing relationships across racial and

  Provide sessions on the importance of ethnic and racial

cultural lines. 

diversity for Archdiocesan and parish staffs, pastors,

  Take part in church based community organizations

principals and teachers. 

that work for economic justice. 

  Evaluate administrative hiring patterns so that persons

in managerial and decision making positions in the

LITURGY

Archdiocese reflect the ethnic and racial composition

Liturgy is the worship of God. It should not be

of our diverse Catholic community. 

manipulated into directly serving any other purpose, even

  Identify and nurture vocations among African

with good intentions and for a good cause. Nonetheless, the

Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native peoples to

liturgy should make visible the unity that incorporates the

serve as priests, deacons, religious women and men,

diversity of Christ's people. It makes intercession, through

and lay ecclesial ministers. 

Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, including the sin of

racism, and gives us the means to become a holy people.

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DENOUNCING RACISM