The Voice of Jesus Speaks for Justice

by Fr. Gregory M. Corrigan

The great Jesuit leader, Father Pedro Arrupe said, “ Christians must be recognized by their being ‘people for others.’ We must be the voice of Jesus. And always, that is a voice for justice.”

The other day I was reading both Sojourners Magazine and the National Catholic Reporter. They have both been reporting about an article that appeared in Sojourners, “ The Catholic Church Has a Visible White-Power Faction”
(Eric Martin, Aug. 14, 20)

I will leave copies of the article at the front of church for anyone wishing to read it. What became controversial was this line from the article, “When the U.S. Catholic bishops gathered to draft a document on race in the wake of the 2017 white terrorist rally in Charlottesville, VA, Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR, submitted an amendment to condemn the imagery of swastikas, Confederate flags, and nooses. The U.S. bishops deliberated and voted to reject it.”

Among the published responses is the following letter from one of Resurrection’s great elders, Al Mercatante. He writes, “I have the deepestr espect for Sojourners and Jim Wallis. The article about the Catholic Church’s bishops not forthrightly condemning the white supremacist’s symbols we all know is truthful and honest.

It is also true that there are white people in the Catholic Church who support white supremacy and white privilege. Those readers of this article who found it to be offensive show how much racism exists in the Catholic Church. No matter how apologetic Wallis is, the truth is the truth and it should not be stifled. Silencing this article’s pointing to the failure of our pastoral leaders has shown how much we have to learn and to actively expose hidden racism and white supremacy. Al Mercatante, Newark, DE.

In my personal note to Al, I wrote, “ Thank you... Your words are well written and truly represent the voice of Jesus, a voice that resonates with what is best in the catholic church.Unfortunately, many bishops and clergy (myself included) too often waste words and miss opportunities to speak out and to stand up for the things that matter most, especially when it comes to equality, diversity and justice.Often, it is through the goodness of holy ones like you that the church hears and then becomes what we are called to be."

Thanks be to God!
Peace,
greg corrigan

Resurrection Parish

Catholic Church, Diocese of Wilmington

The Voice of Jesus Speaks for Justice