Prayer to Overcome Racism (2020)

Dr. King's Message Continues to Impact Our Lives Today | January 9, 2025
Statement by the USCCB President in Commemoration of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024
Pastoral Letter on Racial Healing: "We Are One Body" | Archbishop Nelson Perez, June 11, 2023
Pope: Defeat racism with Christian unity | January 25, 2023
Letter to Congress on the Right to Vote | June 24, 2021
Following the violence in Kenosha, the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Anti-Racism Committee urges a day of prayer and fasting In the wake of the violence in Kenosha, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Ad hoc Committee Against Racism, offered a reflection before the 57th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
57th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech
On August 28, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. EDT, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington DC, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will be the principal celebrant of a Mass to commemorate this anniversary. Auxiliary Bishops Mario Dorsonville, Roy Campbell and Michael Fisher will serve as concelebrants. This Mass will be streamed live on YouTube. The Mass will also be shared on the Archdiocese of Washington's Facebook and Twitter pages.
USCCB and (Arch)diocese Communiqués on the Death of George Floyd and the National Protests
Statement from the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops on George Floyd and the Protests in U.S. Cities
WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a statement about George Floyd and the protests that have taken place in U.S. cities in recent days.
Statement from the committee chairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops following the death of George Floyd and the national protests
WASHINGTON – Seven American bishops who are committee chairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests that have erupted in Minneapolis and other cities in the United States.
U.S. Bishops Approve "Open Our Hearts: The Unceasing Call to Love," a pastoral letter against racism | November 15, 2018
USCCB President Calls for Prayer, Reflection, Civility, and Dialogue | July 8, 2018
Statement of Support for the New Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism of the Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | September 12, 2017
USCCB Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations | November 10, 2016
USCCB President Calls for Dialogue and Peace Amid Violence | July 18, 2016
Mass for Pardon Template for Local Adaptation
Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism: An Invitation - This Guide was prepared to assist Catholics and people of good will in reflecting on the evil and harm of racism. While this is not a comprehensive list, it provides actionable steps that may assist Catholics to reflect and respond in faith.
Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism (en Español)
This new Stations of the Cross resource on overcoming racism can help you, your family, or faith community reflect on the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. A rich Lenten reflection, this prayer resource can help open our hearts to the persistent sin of racism and the call to help overcome it.
Everyone Belongs children's book on the reality of racism and our Catholic response
Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - Study Guide
St. Peter Claver Prayer Service 2021 I Printable Version
Mass Formulary-St. Peter Claver 2019 I Printable Version
The USCCB, the Catholic Mobilizing Network, the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the United States Catholic Mission Association recently hosted a webinar full of ideas for implementing the call of "Open Wide Our Hearts" in your community.
Catholic Mobilizing Network recently released a new short video in honor of Black History Month highlight important lessons from the USCCB's recent pastoral letter against racism, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love."
Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism | Abramos nuestros corazones: El incesante llamado al amoarta pastoral contra el racismo
Check out the educational resources and parish resources that were created to accompany the pastoral letter against racism.
Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry (2024)
Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and with Young Adults (2024)
Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters (2018)