Statements on the killing of George Floyd and the issue of Racism:
Sister Donna Markham, OP, the CEO of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement condemning the killing of George Floyd and the continuous acts of violence and indifference to human life:
These past few days as we watched the news, many of us found ourselves moved to tears over the killing of George Floyd. Our horror at watching the murder of this man on live TV will be something we can never forget. CCUSA is profoundly disturbed by such continual repetition of acts of wanton indifference to human life, especially to the lives of our African American brothers and sisters.
Community is created by human beings, by our choices and actions. Together we can change things. As we enter into this Pentecost season, we join in prayer that God’s Spirit will lead us to deep conversion of heart and equip us with the wisdom, insight and courage to reject hatred and racism and lead us all to heal our broken nation and our broken hearts. We pray most intently for our black and brown sisters and brothers in this time of extraordinary suffering.
Along with this Pope Francis recently offered his own thoughts on the killing of George Floyd and the violent protests that we have recently experienced and he offered the following thoughts:
Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr George Floyd.
My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that “the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost”.
Today I join the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism. Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world.
Resources:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers the following resource page for Combatting Racism in your parish and community.
Prayers for Racial Healing:
God of justice,
In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception.
Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being.
Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family.
Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others.
Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination, and their passionate appeals for change.
Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history.
And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
