Black Catholics: Words not enough as church decries racism

AP,
Black Catholics
FILE - In this Sunday, June 2, 2019 file photo, Archbishop of Washington Wilton Gregory, left, greets parishioners following Mass at St. Augustine Church in Washington. In June 2020, Gregory, the first African-American in charge of the Archdiocese of Washington, joined with eight fellow bishops from his region to acknowledge the church’s “sins and failings” in regard to racial justice. “Prayer and dialogue, alone, are not enough. We must act to bring about true change,” the bishops said, calling for more racial equality in health care, education, housing and criminal justice. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

NEW YORK (AP) – Amid the nationwide wave of protests, U.S. Catholic leaders are among those speaking out against racism.

For Black Catholics, there’s appreciation for those statements but also a demand for not just words but action.

There are rising calls for huge new investment in schools serving Black communities.

Black Catholics also want the church to commit to teaching their complex history in schools, including its past involvement with slavery and segregation.

And some say the church must bring to the anti-racism struggle the same zeal with which it opposes abortion.

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