Catholic Church and race

The Catholic Church and race refers to the teachings, practices and approaches of the Catholic Church in regard to the human races. The core teaching of the Catholic Church on human beings, is that all of the races of mankind are required to convert to the Catholic faith to attain eternal salvation. The foundational break between Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism on human beings is that since the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the new covenant with the God, is based not on the concept of a tribal, hereditary definition of a chosen people by blood which excludes gentiles ("the nations"), but on faith and belief, accessible to all of the races of man (in following with Galatians 3:28).

Membership in the Catholic Church and reception of the Sacraments (including holy orders) is open to humans of any race, providing they adhere to the Catholic faith. Historical controversy and debate on the Catholic Church and race, typically center on its relationship with Rabbinic Judaism and the historical hostility between the two parties. Some Jews and supporters of infaith have argued that the Church's attitude towards Jews, in cases such as the Marranos in Spain constitutes "antisemitism",^[1] while supporters of the Church typically categorise this as "anti-Judaism" (based on religious adherence not race). Many of the debates surrounding this led to Nostra aetate.

Another controversy, pertains to the historical view of the Catholic Church and slavery. Although no theologically defined basis for a race-centered slavery from the Magisterium of the Catholic Church exists, the Church has operated in various societies where slavery has existed in some form as an institution, with ebs and flows of support for emancipation of slaves as far back as the days of the Roman Empire. Typically, in regard to the early modern transatlantic slave trade, critics argue that the Church was insufficiently active in calling for the secular powers to abolish it and point to individual racial prejudice among some members of the Catholic laity.^[2]

History

Pius XI opposed racism[1], considering it a form of materialism and a dogmatic error.^[3]

Different races

Jewish population

The Catholic Church has long had a troubled relationship with the Jewish faith, with Christians having a negative attitude towards Jews^[4] and being extremely opposed to them, so much so that it can be noted that there was an extreme "level of hostility against Jews inculcated by the Church",^[1]: 817 dating as far back as the sixteenth century, where “blood purity laws”^[1]: 816 prevented and limited people who had converted from Judaism from public office. Further examples of systemic racist behaviour can be noted throughout history, including racist rhetoric contained in Christian literature and the behaviour of certain notable Catholic figures towards the Jewish community. There are multiple examples of these incidents, ranging from the seventeenth century, where the Vatican employed an infamous 'Jewish convert' who spoke in opposition to baptising members of the Jewish community, and in the nineteenth century the forced resignation of an archbishop due to his Jewish ancestry.^[1]

However, the Second World War was a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church and its perception of Judaism, with historical readings mostly centred on documenting the Church's shortcomings in denouncing anti-Semitic behaviour during this period.

Gradually a shift in perspective on Judaism and the Jewish community was achieved, largely through the Second Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII. In its document Nostra aetate, the Council proclaimed overwhelmingly in favour of rejecting rhetoric that God did not kindly look upon the Jews, and by stating that they cannot be held accountable for the Crucifixion of Jesus. The Vatican later produced a document reflecting on the responsibility of the Church in its discrimination of the Jews, entitled, ‘We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah”.^[4]

African-American population

The African-American population has long been discriminated against and overlooked by the dominant society in the United States, including Catholics. Segregated churches were a common practice during the twentieth century. Moreover, in the earlier half of the twentieth century African-Americans were not admitted to most Catholic universities and colleges. This was in the period of Jim Crow laws that ended in 1968.^[1] After the Catholic hierarchy's decision to adopt a more prominent oppositional stance towards combating racism, elements in the Church resisted and change has been slow in coming.^[5]

Furthermore, in the latter half of the century, when racial inclusion and acceptance were at the forefront of Catholic ideology and rhetoric, it was still understood by many African-American Bishops and Church leaders, as well as the African-American community themselves, that their plight was largely overlooked, and that very little had been done to assist this minority group. Theologian James Cone, who is often viewed as the 'pioneer of Black theology', aimed to articulate the struggle of the African-American community in achieving liberation and equality through an analysis of the Catholic faith and the gospel. He wrote: "The task of black theology ... is to analyse the nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ in light of oppressed blacks so they will see the gospel as inseparable from their humiliated condition, and as bestowing on them the necessary power to break the chains of oppression."^[2]: 714 His understanding was that Bishops and other religious leaders simply could not grasp the incredibly pervasive and ingrained nature of racism in American culture, heightened and manifested through issues of slavery and lynching, where 'white dominance' was so forcefully asserted, and that these Catholic leaders' theological reflections and discussions were inadequate rather than 'fundamentally flawed'.^[2] This idea is encompassed in statements made by many African-American professors and church leaders, including Cone who summarizes:

What is it about the Catholic definition of justice that makes many persons of that faith progressive in their attitude toward the poor in Central America but reactionary in their views toward the poor in black America? … It is the failure of the Catholic Church to deal effectively with the problem of racism that causes me to question the quality of its commitment to justice in other areas.^[2]: 700

Indigenous population

The idea of the Catholic church and the repression of Indigenous cultural practices is exemplified through their agenda, which aimed to achieve “cultural hegemony”.^[6] Furthermore, in compliance with the national and state policies concerning Indigenous Australians and their rights, the Church continued to disregard these marginalised people: “As the functionaries of the Protection and Assimilation policies, the Catholic Church has directly contributed to the current disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians.”^[6]: 13 It should be acknowledged, however, that there was some attempt on the part of the Catholic Church to uphold and advocate for Indigenous rights^[vague] during colonisation.^[6]

Current attitude

Overwhelmingly, the current attitude and view which is held by the Catholic Church is sensitive with regard to racist thought and the Catholic Church is committed to fighting against discrimination in accordance with their interpretation of the teachings of Jesus Christ.^{[7][better source needed]} The Church has shifted its perspective, coinciding with the world's increasing awareness of race discrimination, to adopt an inclusive approach. This is expressed in a statement made in 1997 by Catholic bishops in Louisiana, stating,

The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on racism is clear. Racism is morally wrong. To persist obstinately in this stance is unChristian.^[2]: 526

And again, by the Saint Paul and Minneapolis branch of Catholic Charities USA:

Racism is a serious offense against God precisely because it violates the innate dignity of the human person. At its core, racism is a failure to love our neighbour.^{[8][2]: 701}

Catholic responses

The Church has been formulating responses to resolve issues of racism through reflections on doctrine and statements made by Catholic leaders.^[7] Encyclicals and documents produced over the years discuss the opposition of the Church on issues of racial bias and discrimination.^[8] Some aim to take responsibility for the Church's involvement in dealing with racial bias, "As we confront our own complicity with the sin of racism, may we constantly refer back to that all-important teaching as a reminder of why we need to root racism out of our hearts, our culture and the institutions of society."^[9] While in earlier years a broader definition of racism as a societal issue was acknowledged, a more recent recognition of systemic and internalised racism has been incorporated into Catholic thought, allowing a deeper and more enhanced understanding of the issue, thus placing the Church in a more effective position to combat these ideals. This is highlighted in, “Racism is both individual and institutional. Individual racism is expressed through a person’s prejudicial actions and words."^[2]: 705

Leaders within the Catholic church continue to reflect on providing solutions to racial bias that correlate with Catholic values and beliefs.^[2] Often, these proposed solutions focus on an understanding that racism goes beyond individual will and is an injustice rooted deep within society., Therefore, government intervention and institutional collaboration is called upon to right these wrongs and eliminate harmful societal structures.^[2] Religious figures such as Cardinal Roger Mahony have used this understanding of the pervasive nature of racism in society to defend practices that assist marginalised people, such as affirmative action.^[2]

Concerning the Indigenous Australian population, the Catholic Church has made no steps towards achieving reconciliation. A speech delivered by Reverend David Gill of the National Council of Churches in Australia, titled 'Reparations and Reconciliation – A Perspective from the Churches', exemplifies this, in which an outline of the different attempts to achieve reconciliation are outlined. These include churches acknowledging the pain that they have caused and apologising for it, as well as the actions of specific organisations designed to assist people who were affected by the Indigenous child removal policy. The Catholic Church's "A Piece of the Story" is a national collection of records of the different Catholic organisations that are focused on looking after children who were affected by the child separation policy.^[10]

References