IWF calls for prayers and solidarity to end violence and racism
Incarnate Word Foundation stands with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, our founding Congregation, and with Catholic leaders throughout our country to decry personal and systemic racism. Our mission is “to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word.” We are founded on the belief that God is present and alive in every human being.
We invite our Incarnate Word Foundation community to:
- Be aware of the statements of our faith leaders, and
- Join us in prayer and solidarity to end racism and violence as they continue to plague our country and cities.
We offer you excerpts from our Bishops and Church leaders for your reflection.
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, May 29, 2020:
Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient. It is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.
While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests, and we certainly do, we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged. Too many communities around this country feel their voices are not being heard, their complaints about racist treatment are unheeded, and we are not doing enough to point out that this deadly treatment is antithetical to the Gospel of Life.
From the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, May 30, 2020:
Racism is America’s original sin. It is a virus every bit as deadly as COVID-19 that has infected our nation since its inception and unless and until we address it, people of color will continue to die and our nation will never heal. Racism, whether the institutional racism which privileges some at the expense others or the daily acts of hate and discrimination diminishes us all. It denies that most profound truth that all of us are created in God’s image and each of us is entitled to dignity and respect.
As women religious we acknowledge our own complicity in institutional racism; we ask forgiveness of our sisters and brothers of color; and we pray for our nation’s healing, and we know that is not enough. It is time for bold, decisive action. We pledge to raise our voices and to act now to end this scourge which has cost us so dearly. It is long past time to dismantle white privilege and rededicate ourselves to building God’s beloved community.