Volume I, Fall 2004
Volume I, Fall 2004
The Anti-Racism Initiative
By Father Derrick F. Dudash
ETHICS & EMPATHY
The Anti-Racism Initiative is currently in its third year of activity. I 2002, Bishop Melczek published the Pastoral Letter titled, The Many Faces of the Church: a Pastoral Letter on Cultural Diversity. Following the Letter, parishes held discussion groups. In addition, each parish planned an activity to celebrate their diversity and their cultural story was told in the Northwest Indiana Catholic. Some parishes went a step further and gathered with parishes from other parts of the diocese to share their culture with people who were different than themselves.
In 2003, Bishop Melczek issued his second Letter, titled: Created in God's Image: a Pastoral Letter on the Sin of Racism and a Call to Conversion. Following this Letter, parishes were again asked to hold dialogue sessions, and opportunities were created for our Catholic faithful to gather with others in a more diverse environment at our Catholic high schools.
The guiding philosophy of our Anti-Racism Initiative is that people are not bad, in themselves, but that we all allow the ignorance, insecurity and fear that dwell within us to sometimes control our thinking and our actions. Ignorance, Insecurity, and Fear are the real culprits when it comes to fostering racism.
Wherever
these exist, racism is not far removed. Therefore, blaming people is not the
answer. It is more appropriate to address the ignorance, insecurity and fear
which give rise to racism.
All would agree that education is the most effective antidote to ignorance. The Pastoral Letter, itself, was an attempt to provide much needed education and reflection on the sin of racism. In addition, the diocesan Anti-Racism Initiative Committee has offered other educational opportunities. The dialogue sessions offered in the parishes and in area high schools also were an integral part of this effort. They helped open the eyes of people to understanding the different worlds in which we travel as members of a different race or ethnic group. In addition, we enlisted the help of Fr. Chester Smith, Fr. Esequiel Sanchez, and Fr. Clarence Williams who shared their insights with a large number of our Catholic faithful regarding the nature of racism in our culture.
Insecurity and fear are unnecessarily destructive of our unity as brothers and sisters. Wherever possible, the committee tried to encourage interaction among parishes. Some parishes became proactive in breaking down the insecurity and fear by engaging in social activities together. The dinner/video presentations, picnics, concerts, and other social activities accomplished a great deal this past year. (In a separate effort, but one very much akin to the work of our committee, the "Parish Alliance" is also effecting the same results through their activities.)
Wherever these efforts are made, one can watch the "barriers" and "defenses" simply melt away. It is a sign that deep down we all want to live together in peace. The problem is that we too often allow the Ignorance, Insecurity and Fear (which we all carry around) to get in the way.
There are more programs planned as we continue on our quest for greater unity. Throughout September, the committee is sponsoring a series of "Listening Sessions", which will enable those who have suffered from racism to tell their story, as well as afford an opportunity for our Catholic faithful to compassionately listen to those stories. Following these sessions, we will gather together at Holy Angels Cathedral on October 3, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. for an Atonement Service. Your participation at the Listening Sessions and the Atonement Service are very important if we are to continue to successfully create a greater unity among our Catholic faithful and make our parishes a sign of inclusiveness. I hope you will make every effort to attend.
Father Derrick F. Dudash is the Chairperson of the Anti-Racism Committee, and is Pastor of St. Helen Church, Hebron.
Instruments of Change
By Pamela Portia Johnson
FAITH & FERVENCY
The media provided front page stories and prime time programming during the week of May 17, 2004 in observance of the fiftieth year since the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Efforts to ignore coverage about the May 17, 1954 decision that made public school segregation illegal were fairly difficult.
Apparently, news departments of most publications and the major networks had
prepared to present the facts and analyze the impact long before the
anniversary arrived. Although a few of the presentations were perfunctory,
awkward and even dull, the review of an historical event was, nevertheless,
informative and thought provoking.
In
Northwest Indiana it can be very hard to get the residents talking about the
cycle of racism -- manifested as segregation. Some have found the word racism
itself to be a word too loaded with political overtones to use at all. Racism
has touched the lives of some in such a deep way that they prefer to view it as
an unavoidable social reality. Reluctant to offend, raise anger and
controversy, it is deemed prudent by some to avoid the emotion-laden term all
together.
We, the Diocese of Gary, have received Created in God’s Image: a Pastoral Letter on the Sin of Racism and a Call to Conversion, and we have an opportunity to share our experiences. Through our involvement with the Anti-Racism Initiative, we are opening doors that for some were closing. We are opening or reopening channels of communication between the faithful beyond Northwest Indiana’s borders.
“While your Letter is addressed to the faithful of the Diocese
of Gary, your message is appropriate and timely for all men and women throughout
our nation,” said His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. A response from Richard G. Lennon, Auxiliary Bishop of the
Diocese of Boston, was his “hope that its message to eradicate racism from our
lives, society and institutions will be brought to life.”
Copies of the Pastoral Letter are currently in numerous libraries including American University, Washington, D.C. and St. Thomas University, the Archdiocesan University of Miami, Florida. “It is not only well done and very thoughtfully presented . . . it is of so much value in dealing with the problem that both you and I find in our communities,” wrote the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. after sharing the Letter with the university library.
Bishop
Melczek shared the Letter at the 2003 Conference of Bishops. Many responses
were similar to Bishop Alvaro Corrada from Tyler, Texas, who said,
“Unfortunately, racism is found in every diocese and I appreciate the importance
you have placed on training how to deal with such an issue."
The
Pastoral Letter is presently being used in classes at Calumet College in our own
diocese, Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and the University of Notre Dame in
South Bend. Various other dioceses have requested copies to be used in training
their diocesan leaders. Priests from as far away as Okinawa, Japan have
requested copies to be used in addressing issues of cultural diversity and race.
We cannot change the world in a vacuum. We are the instruments of change in our nation, our region, our diocese.
Pamela Portia Johnson edited the premier issue of the Diocese of Gary Anti-Racism Initiative newsletter. She is a member of the Anti-Racism Committee and St. Mary of Lake Church, Gary.
Making a Difference Through Communications
By William Paul Mulligan
HOPE & HEALING
During the first year and a half of the Diocese of Gary Anti-Racism Initiative of Bishop Melczek, I have heard many stories, some old, some new, but all worth listening to. The different struggles people of color have endured because of race, or in a few cases, just for being left-handed were touching. My story or stories are mostly about acceptance in spite of all the racism. There may be a number of reasons for my acceptance. One reason could have been my light complexion, which some people consider non-threatening, or it could have been my openness to others. Perhaps without knowing, I was the "token Black person." When people use the "token" they say, "what do you mean? . . .we have Black friends over all the time. . .just look at Paul." Maybe, just maybe, it was because, and this is the reason I choose to believe, people saw Jesus in me.
I, by no means, look at my own acceptance and ignore the bigger picture. I believe that until all people of color are accepted on an equal playing field, things won't be all right. I am well aware of the fact that many in the "privileged, dominant culture of America," continue to put on a happy face. When they are behind closed doors, however, they harbor ill feelings in their hearts about people of color. I am working to help change those hearts.
One day, I would like my daughter, who doesn't see it now, to live in a world where there are no negative differences because of race. I want her to celebrate color differences because everyone has value; I want her to see Jesus in everyone.
It has been my experience that listening to the many stories of individuals is one way of examining the fear and the ignorance which are the main elements of separation in our culture. In order for us to heal, we must know how each of us was hurt. The fear that
drives ill feelings and distrust along with the ignorance that drives suspicion and a lack of understanding and respect must be put behind us.
We need to come together, together with great hope, the way God intended for us to be. Are you willing to admit that you have participated in promoting racism (even in small way)? Participating in the Listening Sessions is a means of opening the door to hope and becoming an example of Christ's teachings, which make a difference.
William Paul Mulligan is a member of the Anti-Racism Committee and Ss. Monica & Luke Church, Gary.
Seeking Atonement and Reconciliation
By Father Charles Mosley
GRACE & GOODNESS
Many of the Catholic faithful have already marked Sunday, October 3, 2004 on the calendar as a reminder of the Atonement Service at Holy Angels Cathedral at 2:00 P.M. When we mention the Atonement Service, the third phase of our Anti-Racism Initiative, I am often asked why do we need such a service or what is the point. Briefly, I will try to answer your questions.
When one sins there must be a deliberate and concerted effort to cause a change from the sin that was committed, or one stands the chance of not turning away from the sin. In short, we will repeat the sin. The first step in stopping a sin is to recognize the sin, to call it by name, and to acknowledge our part in the sinful action. Once this is done, we must be willing to make amends.
Atonement is about making amends for the wrong that has been done. This is not a new idea. In the Old Testament, man was always seeking atonement with God for the many times that he transgressed against God's Covenant.
The reconciliation of God and man was brought about through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we learn how to make atonement. So, when we sin there must be reconciliation.
There are four ways that we seek reconciliation: Conditional, Partial, Delayed and Unconditional. Conditional, I'll forgive you if or I'll forgive you when, is not the reconciliation we seek. Neither Partial, forgiveness, with some type of condition placed on it, nor Delayed, placing a limit on when we will forgive, is the reconciliation we seek. Unconditional reconciliation, however, seeks to restore a relationship wholly, completely, without conditions, limits or reservations. Atonement seeks this unconditional reconciliation.
I am quite sure that everyone can agree with what was just said about atonement. We all need to be reconciled, but we ask why do we need the Atonement Service for the Diocese of Gary. As a Church we are both human and divine and as human the Church can take part in sin. We have recognized that the sin of racism exists in our Church. We want to go beyond just naming the sin. We want to move toward forgiveness and change; therefore, we must have reconciliation, atonement. In this way, we, as a Church, can say yes, we have committed the sin of racism, but now we seek forgiveness. Yet, it is not just forgiveness, we want to move forward and destroy this sin forever.
Some may say that we have conquered this sin through our government. Although our government has passed laws and given us the civil rights amendment, sin cannot be legislated. Yes, we are better off today than we were forty or fifty years ago, but have our hearts changed?
This is where the Church comes in. We want a change of heart. We want to be able to recognize the presence of Christ in our fellow brothers and sisters. We want to become the one Body of Christ. This cannot be accomplished through laws and amendments, but only by embracing each person as a child of God.
Do we need atonement? You better believe it. Reconciliation moves us closer to what our Lord wants us to be, One Body in Him.
Father Charles Mosley is a member of the Anti-Racism Committee. He serves as Priest in Residence of St. Mary, Griffith and on the staff of Bishop Noll Institute.