Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism

Dr. King’s Message Continues to Impact Our Lives Today, January 9, 2025 

USCCB President’s Statement in Observance of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024

Statement of USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism on Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision

Pastoral Letter on Racial Healing: "We Are One Body" I Archbishop Nelson Pérez, June 11, 2023

Church called to address issues of systemic racism in social justice work, advocates say, February 1, 2023 

Catholics cannot be ‘innocent bystanders’ to racism, social ministry gathering told, January 31, 2023 

Pope: Defeat racism with Christian unity, January 25, 2023 

Letter to Congress Regarding Voting Rights I June 24, 2021

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Asian and Pacific Island Affairs on Discrimination Against the Asian Community

In Wake of Kenosha Violence, U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Committee Against Racism Urges Day of Prayer and Fasting 
In the wake of the violence in Kenosha, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism offered a reflection ahead of the 57th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.

57th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s famous “I Have A Dream Speech”
On August 28, 2020, at 4:00 PM EDT at Washington D.C.’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will be principal celebrant for a Mass to mark this anniversary. Auxiliary Bishops Mario Dorsonville, Roy Campbell, and Michael Fisher will serve as concelebrants. This Mass will be live-streamed on YouTube. The Mass will also be shared on the Archdiocese of Washington’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

USCCB and (Arch)Diocesan Statements on the Death of George Floyd and National Protests

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities
WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement on George Floyd and the protests in American cities that have taken place over the last several days.

Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
WASHINGTON – Seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States.

In Wake of Horrific, Hate-Filled Violence in El Paso, USCCB Migration Chairman, Domestic Social Development Chairman, and Chairman of the ad hoc Committee Against Racism Call for Change in Language and Rhetoric of All Americans | August 8, 2019

U.S. Bishops Approved “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love," A Pastoral Letter Against Racism | November 15, 2018

USCCB President Calls for Prayers, Reflection, Civility and Dialogue | July 8, 2018

A Statement of Support for the New Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism from the Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | September 12, 2017

USCCB Special Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations | November 10, 2016

USCCB President Calls for Dialogue, Peace in the Midst of Violence | July 18, 2016

Mass for Pardon Template for Local Adaptation 

Holy Hour Against Racism

Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism: An Invitation - This Guide was prepared to assist Catholics and people of good will in reflecting on the evil and harm of racism. While this is not a comprehensive list, it provides actionable steps that may assist Catholics to reflect and respond in faith.

Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism (en Español)
This new Stations of the Cross resource on overcoming racism can help you, your family, or faith community reflect on the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. A rich Lenten reflection, this prayer resource can help open our hearts to the persistent sin of racism and the call to help overcome it.

Prayer Against Racism

• Prayer Card English | Prayer Card Spanish
• Social Media Graphic English | Social Media Graphic Spanish

Everyone Belongs children's book on the reality of racism and our Catholic response 

Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - Study Guide

St. Peter Claver Prayer Service 2021 I Printable Version

Mass Formulary-St. Peter Claver 2019 I Printable Version

The USCCB, the Catholic Mobilizing Network, the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the United States Catholic Mission Association recently hosted a webinar full of ideas for implementing the call of "Open Wide Our Hearts" in your community.

Catholic Mobilizing Network recently released a new short video in honor of Black History Month highlight important lessons from the USCCB's recent pastoral letter against racism, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love."

Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism | Abramos nuestros corazones: El incesante llamado al amoarta pastoral contra el racismo

Check out the educational resources and parish resources that were created to accompany the pastoral letter against racism.

Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry (2024)

Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and with Young Adults (2024) 

Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry (2023)

Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters (2018)