Open Wide Our Hearts: The Catholic Church Confronts Racism

Posted by Katherine Cross on September 11, 2020

The tragic death of George Floyd has ignited a public conversation about ongoing racial inequity and injustice in America. How can the Church uphold the dignity of all human persons and foster the common good during these contentious times? What issues do we need to address with our own Church that prevents an appropriate response?

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, hosted this forum on the memorial of St. Peter Claver (September 9th) to provide an opportunity for formation and reflection on these critical issues in our community, and how we as a Church can respond. This forum was primarily for priests, deacons, educators, and lay ecclesial ministers and was also open to the public. Speakers included:

~ Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

~ Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference

~ Bishop Shelton Fabre, Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Chairman, USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism

~ Damon Owens, an international speaker, and evangelist, and executive director of Joyful Ever After

~ Loralean Jordan a social justice advocate and member of the Church of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul, MN, and a current member and former chair of the Archdiocesan Commission of Black Catholics

~ Bishop John Quinn of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester

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