Anti-Racism Retreat in November

Deacon Joan Crawford, the head of our Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is going to lead interested persons in an Anti-Racism virtual retreat this coming November (dates TBD). I am passionate about the work that Joan and the Commission are doing. I strongly reject the voices that say we should not be looking at systemicracism. The Catholic tradition worked this out in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Social wrongs are not just on the personal level. There are social systems that have oppressed a variety of people from time immemorial. Thank God that the Church finally saw this; it caused a great awakening for justice and the rights of workers in particular. This same kind of analysis can help us see where injustice lies, particularly against women and minorities. This is not just politics. This is the Deliverance from Egypt in our time. The bush is burning, we are being spoken too, even if many turn a deaf ear. Fighting for the oppressed is at the heart of the Judeo-Christian story. The work of justice is indeed the work of God’s people. I encourage all who have ears and eyes for this to consider opportunities like the one Joan will be offering. Thanks for listening.

From the Office of the Presiding Bishop