Combatting racism

In Reaction to the Toppling of the Statue of St. Junipero Serra in Golden Gate Park

Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone
June 20, 2020
"What is happening to our society?  A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence, looting and vandalism.  The toppling and defacing of statues in Golden Gate Park, including that of St. Junipero Serra, have become the latest example.  The memorialization of historic figures merits an honest and fair discussion as to how and to whom such honor should be given.  But here, there was no such rational discussion; it was mob rule, a troubling phenomenon that seems to be repeating itself throughout the country." 
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In Reaction to the Death of George Floyd and the Aftermath

Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone
June 3, 2020
"'I can’t breathe.' George Floyd’s final words haunt us, horrify us, as he was senselessly suffocated to death. 'I can’t breathe.' What a contrast to these days in Church time, when we are still basking in the light of Pentecost."
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Joint Statement of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco
and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco
Denouncing the Killing of George Floyd and the Ensuing Civil Unrest and Protests

The overwhelming national response to George Floyd’s death, manifested in peaceful protests, properly honors his life and denounces injustice. But sadly now, the growing acts of violence and looting underscore the ongoing systemic racism and discrimination against people of color which have become all too common in our society.  
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In 2018, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops published a pastoral letter on racism, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism." The document was developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops as a formal statement of the same at its November 2018 General Meeting.

"Through his Cross and Resurrection, Christ united the one human race to the Father. However, even though Christ’s victory over sin and death is complete, we still live in a world affected by them. As bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States, we want to address one particularly destructive and persistent form of evil. Despite many promising strides made in our country, racism still infects our nation. What Is Racism? Racism arises when—either consciously or unconsciously—a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard. When this conviction or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridicule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful. Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39)."

Read the pastoral letter here.

USCCB Resources

June 22, 2020

SACRAMENTO – The California Catholic Conference of Bishops has issued the following statement in response to the removal of St. Junipero Serra statues in the state:

“The movement to confront racism within our society during these past weeks has been, at times, challenging but it has provided bold new hope for every American that our nation can begin to transform key elements of our racist past and present.  We vigorously and wholeheartedly support a broad national coalition, especially in its peaceful dedication to eliminating racism against members of the African-American and Native American communities.

“During the past week the specific question of removing statues of political, military and cultural leaders of the past has gained momentum.  If this process is to be truly effective as a remedy for racism, it must discern carefully the entire contribution that the historical figure in question made to American life, especially in advancing the rights of marginalized peoples.

“In calling for the removal of images of Saint Junipero Serra from public display in California, and in tearing down his statue in San Francisco and in Los Angeles, protesters have failed that test.  As Archbishop Cordileone pointed out in his recent statement:

'St. Serra made heroic sacrifices to protect the indigenous people of California from their Spanish conquerors, especially the soldiers.  Even with his infirmed leg which caused him such pain, he walked all the way to Mexico City to obtain special faculties of governance from the Viceroy of Spain in order to discipline the military who were abusing the Indians.  And then he walked back to California.

And lest there be any doubt, we have a physical reminder to this day: everywhere there is a presidio (soldiers' barracks) associated with a mission in the chain of 21 missions that he founded, the presidio is miles away from the mission itself and the school.  St. Junipero Serra also offered them the best thing he had: the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, which he and his fellow Franciscan friars did through education, health care, and training in the agrarian arts.'

“The historical truth is that Serra repeatedly pressed the Spanish authorities for better treatment of the Native American communities.  Serra was not simply a man of his times. In working with Native Americans, he was a man ahead of his times who made great sacrifices to defend and serve the indigenous population and work against an oppression that extends far beyond the mission era. And if that is not enough to legitimate a public statue in the state that he did so much to create, then virtually every historical figure from our nation's past will have to be removed for their failings measured in the light of today's standards.”