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Statements and Letters
Church Statements
Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love Pastoral Letter Against Racism , 2018 | Abramos nuestros corazones: El incesante llamado al amoarta pastoral contra el racismo , 2018Brothers and Sisters to Us Selected quotes 25th Anniversary Executive Summary - We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight: The Church's Response to Racism in the Years Following Reconciled Through Christ En Español - Published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2013, this publication explores the reconciliation and greater collaboration between Hispanic American Catholics and African American Catholics.What We've Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization | En Español | Selected quotes | From the Black Bishops of the United States, September 9, 1984On Racial Harmony - A Statement by the Administrative Board, National Catholic Welfare Conference (August 23, 1963) that reaffirms the U.S. Catholic bishops' official position against racial discrimination and segregation.Selected quotes from Discrimination and Christian Conscience , a statement of the U.S. Catholic bishops (Nov. 14, 1958)
Bishop Statements
Three U.S. bishops: Racially profiling migrants (and Americans) is a betrayal of the Gospel I Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill and Bishop Robert J. Brennan I December 11, 2025A Pastoral Reflection on Voting Rights and the Call to Justice I Bishop Joseph N. Perry I November 2025Statement on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina I August 29, 2025A Statement of Support for the New Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism from the Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | September 12, 2017USCCB Special Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations | Nov. 10, 2016USCCB President Calls for Dialogue, Peace in the Midst of Violence | July 18, 2016USCCB President Calls for Prayers, Reflection, Civility and Dialogue | July 8, 2016The Catholic Church and the Black Lives Matter Movement: The Racial Divide in the United States Revisited | Bishop Edward K. Braxton, Diocese of Belleville, IL, February 26, 2016Statement on Race Relations | Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Archdiocese of Louisville, KY, President, United States Conference of Catholic BishopsStatement on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act | Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Archdiocese of Louisville, KY, President, United States Conference of Catholic BishopsCatholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation , The University of Notre Dame Sacred Heart Basilica | Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Archdiocese of Atlanta | May 7, 2010
Bishop's Letters
A Pastoral Letter on Racial Healing: “We Are One Body”, by Archbishop Perez (2023) Pastoral Letter – It is Right and Just: Journeying from Racism to Communion in Christ, by Bishop Soto (May 2021) Pastoral Letter on Racism by Bishop Olson (2020) Night Will be No More: Pastoral Letter to the People of God in El Paso, by Bishop Seitz (2019) | Español The Journey to Racial Justice: Repentance, Healing and Action, by Archbishop Lori (2019) | Español The Enduring Power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence, by Archbishop Lori (2018) | Español The Challenge of Racism Today, by Cardinal Wuerl (2017) The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the World Day of Peace (2015) Dwell in My Love: A Pastoral Letter on Racism, by Cardinal George, O.M.I. (2012) In God’s Image: Pastoral Letter on Racism, by Archbishop Flynn (2003)
Press Releases
“What Does It Mean To Be a Drum Major for Justice,” Asks Archbishop Coakley I January 13, 2026 "May We Recognize the Rich Gifts That Neighbors From Diverse Cultures Bring to Our Communities" Says Bishop Garcia I December 5, 2025Bishop Garcia Appointed Inaugural Chairman of Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation I November 20, 2025U.S. Bishops’ Administrative Committee Approves Transition of Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism to a Permanent Subcommittee I September 10, 2025A Statement of Support for the New Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism from the Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | September 12, 2017USCCB Special Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations | Nov. 10, 2016USCCB President Calls for Dialogue, Peace in the Midst of Violence | July 18, 2016USCCB President Calls for Prayers, Reflection, Civility and Dialogue | July 8, 2016
