Customer Reviews

Racial Justice and the Catholic Church

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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.

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.

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