Racial Justice and the Catholic Church examines the presence of racism and the resources within Catholic teaching and within the black experience, particularly the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. that can combat it and promote reconciliation and justice.
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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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
By Blessedbill
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fr. Bryan informs, inspires and separates facts from myths for persons wanting to be more human in a world divided by ignorance.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church
I believe that as Black Catholics in the USA we need to become very knowledgeable about our faith. We need to know and understand the Church's committment to Racism. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Patricia Nelms
5.0 out of 5 stars
Race, Justice and Freedom
If there is any book ever that exposes the meaning, depth, intricaces and implications of race in the American society and life, this is it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Joseph Ogbonnaya
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