Racism and the American Church

 A few months ago I was able to attend a talk at Notre Dame by a ND graduate, Jermar Tisby. In his book, entitled, "The Color of Compromise,” Jermar explores the American historical roots of sustained racism and injustice in the American Church. He highlights the way people of faith actively worked against racial justice as well as their complicit silence about racial injustice.
 
Much of the evidence is concentrated on denominations other than the Roman Catholic Church. And he noted a story of a baptized Catholic slave named Augustus Tolton, who escaped the South for freedom in Illinois were he joined a parish. At age 16 he felt a calling to the priesthood, but no Catholic seminary in the country would accept him. He eventually earned enough money and with the help of a benefactor he went to Rome. After completing his formation he was ordained the first black priest in America. He went on to pastor St. Monica Church, which became a thriving black congregation on the south side of Chicago.
 
Lamar's purpose is to reveal the past to help us examine how racism may be present in our Church, parishes, and schools today. I look back on my own Catholic high school and wonder why there was only one black student. Or why many of our parishes are predominantly segregated. –  Tom Kavanagh
 
Your thoughts? Share with us by email:  sjinfo@littleflowerchurch.org.