Racial Justice and the Catholic Church [Paperback]

Bryan N. Massingale (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lamenting that he sometimes feels like a motherless child... a long ways from home in his own church, Massingale, a black priest and moral theologian, levels a strong indictment of the Catholic response to racial injustice in this review and analysis. After answering the question What is racism? at some length, Massingale delves into Catholic history on the issue, taking apart three documents on racial justice from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1958, 1968, and 1979. Although he says the last two improved on the first, which offered nothing in the way of recommendations for action, none was marked by the depth of social analysis found in many of the bishops' other social justice documents. To improve Catholic engagement in racial justice, Massingale proposes using such resources of the tradition as the practice of lament, compassion, solidarity, conversion, baptism, and Eucharist. The author's moving personal reflections add a human face to his message, which readers who have a heart for social justice will no doubt find to be prophetic. (Feb.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (February 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570757763
• ISBN-13: 978-1570757761
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A personal and powerful analysis of racism, May 17, 2010

By 

Michael P. Rabbitt - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Racial Justice and the Catholic Church (Paperback)

Fr. Massingale's book provides an outstanding review of racism within the context of American society and the Catholic Church. This book offers a solid mix of rational analysis, effective examples, and personal experiences.

In addition to an excellent analysis of racism in terms of its institutional and systemic aspects - going beyond the all too common frame of reference of individual acts of prejudice - Fr. Massingale takes it a step further by casting racism in a cultural context - a "set of meanings, values, assumptions, and beliefs." He also addresses white privilege head on and in clear and understandable terms, which is not an easy task. The examination of the bishops' pastoral letters throughout the years is excellent.

Although there is the expected intellectual and thoughtful approach to this book, Fr. Massingale provides a wonderful balance between reason and emotion through his discussion of lament and compassion. I thought the following excerpt captures this well: "We act justly not because we are intellectually convinced, but because we are passionately moved. Compassion moves the will to justice."

Fr. Massingale also opens up and shares his personal challenges as a black Catholic priest and theologian, in addition to providing insights from the perspective of the black experience and "community in struggle." The need for healing is also brought to light, as is the engagement of Catholics and Christians to understand the importance of racial reconciliation, which Fr. Massingale notes "is not concerned with the elimination of racial differences, but rather the elimination of the stigma and privilege associated with race."

In closing, while this book details the major challenges of dismantling racism, it also inspires the reader and offers hope that with God's help the goal is attainable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A landmark for racial justice., May 1, 2010

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Paul Richardson "deaconpaul" (Yellow Springs, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Racial Justice and the Catholic Church (Paperback)

This book should be required reading in every Catholic formation program! In clear language, supported by extensive research Fr. Massingale has put down the baseline from we must start recognizing how much of racism's ignorance isn't even realized by the Anglo community. We must have a sound understanding about unconscious racial advandage of Anglos.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, August 21, 2010

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Blessedbill - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Racial Justice and the Catholic Church (Paperback)

Fr. Bryan informs, inspires and separates facts from myths for persons wanting to be more human in a world divided by ignorance.