Racism

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Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington, D.C.

U.S. bishops reflect on ‘rallying cry’ of Martin Luther King Jr.

Jan 15, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Archbishop Timothy Broglio said that the renowned civil rights leader taught that “we must confront the evils of racism and... Read more

The exterior of Georgetown University's School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

Catholic higher ed still open to all, bishops say after Supreme Court blocks affirmative action

Jul 10, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

“It is our hope that our Catholic institutions of higher learning will continue to find ways to make education possible... Read more

A view of Baltimore's basilica nestled amid the city's famed row houses.

Church commission investigates Baltimore Archdiocese role in slavery

May 12, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The commission includes academics, archivists, and other researchers who are poring through old documents and will unveil some of its... Read more

Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry.

Chicago’s Bishop Joseph N. Perry to lead U.S. bishops’ anti-racism committee

May 12, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The Chicago-born bishop brings extensive experience to the role, including his chairmanship of the USCCB Committee on African-American Catholics. Read more

Chika Anyanwu (left) and Father Josh Johnson

Catholics reflect on racial reconciliation in U.S. Church: ‘We must be rooted in prayer’

Jan 16, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Two prominent Catholic speakers say they have seen an openness among Catholics to acknowledge racism as a sin and as... Read more

Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, was the scene of a mass shooting on May 14, 2022.

US Catholic bishops call for ‘honest dialogue’ on ‘persistent evil of racism’ after mass shootings

May 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

The USCCB said it would continue to “advocate for an end to violence, and for the respect and dignity of... Read more

We March with Selma. Via Flickr CC BY NC 2.0.

The nuns who witnessed the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr

Jan 17, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Sister Mary Antona Ebo was the only black Catholic nun who marched with civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.... Read more

The 31st annual meeting of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium will take place Oct. 7-9 at the University of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame to host 31st Annual Black Catholic Theological Symposium

Oct 3, 2021

By Autumn Jones

On Oct. 7, the University of Notre Dame will begin to host the 31st annual Black Catholic Theological Symposium (BCTS)... Read more

Armonté Snodgrass, freshman at Louisville's Saint Xavier High School, who received the 2021 Rodriq McCravy Scholarship award at the 34th annual African American Catholic Leadership Awards banquet

Catholic schools have ‘mighty role’ for Black Catholic leaders, Louisville archbishop says

Aug 25, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

The Louisville archdiocese has made steady progress in enrolling more African-Americans in Catholic schools, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of... Read more

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis

Minneapolis archbishop prays for peace following sentencing of Derek Chauvin

Jun 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

The archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis prayed for peace and called for racial reconciliation on Friday to the sentencing of Derek... Read more

Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa.

Reflections on the role of the Cathedral during the Tulsa Race Massacre and today

Jun 1, 2021

By Eastern Oklahoma Catholic

At the end of May, our local community will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Sparked by... Read more

Rubble of houses in Greenwood, Tulsa, after the 1921 race massacre.

Tulsa diocese mourns 100th anniversary of racial massacre

Jun 1, 2021

The Bishop of Tulsa commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa racial massacre last week, in an ecumenical vespers service... Read more

'Cleanse our land': U.S. bishops call for prayer, action to end racism after Chauvin verdict

Apr 21, 2021

Bishops across the United States on Tuesday and Wednesday responded to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek... Read more

People in Minneapolis react after the verdict was read in the Derek Chauvin trial on April 20, 2021.

St Paul-Minneapolis archbishop calls for healing after Derek Chauvin verdict

Apr 20, 2021

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis called for peace, reconciliation, and a greater respect for human life after... Read more

Statue of Margaret Sanger at the Old South Meeting House museum in Boston

Pro-life advocates: Planned Parenthood can’t just wish away Margaret Sanger’s racism, eugenics

Apr 20, 2021

After the head of Planned Parenthood promised to “reckon with” founder Margaret Sanger’s connections to racism and eugenics, pro-life advocates... Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone speaks at the San Francisco for Unity prayer service against racism.

Archbishop Cordileone calls for ‘inoculation against racism’

Apr 12, 2021

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco last week condemned violence against Asian people in the United States, drawing comparisons between... Read more

Loyola Chicago's 1963 championship basketball team

‘Heroes’ and ‘villains’: The history of Catholic college basketball and race relations

Mar 30, 2021

By Matt Hadro

In the history of Catholic college basketball and race, there are both “heroes” and “villains,” said one author of a... Read more

Bishop Oscar Solis

‘Give them hope’: How parishes can be a light amid violence and racism

Mar 25, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Transforming communities to become more inclusive and accepting places must begin at the parish level, Bishop Oscar Solis of Salt... Read more

Mar 21, 2021: Demonstrators in Portland denounce violence against Asian Americans after the Atlanta spa shootings. Credit: Tada Images/Shutterstock

USCCB condemns racist violence, prays for victims, after Atlanta shootings

Mar 22, 2021

The U.S. bishops’ conference denounced racism and violence following last week’s shootings in Atlanta that killed six Asian women.  Read more

Thea Bowman, as a postulant   Credit: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

The hidden history of Black Catholic nuns in the U.S.

Feb 11, 2021

Black Catholic nuns have made manifold contributions to the Church in the United States, and theirs is a story that... Read more