Currents News Staff
For the first time in nearly forty years, the United States bishops have spoken as a group on race issues in the country. The new pastoral letter, called “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” was overwhelmingly passed, 241 votes to 3. This came with much praise from areas in the country that have dealt with racism for centuries.
“You took special time to point out Native American, African American, and Hispanic. All three have special meaning to us in the Diocese of Phoenix,” said Bishop Thomas Olmsted.
The document examines the history of racism in the United States, focusing on three groups: African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. It offers approaches to combat racism including starting education to Catholic schools, seminarians and even plans to require Catholic publishing companies to develop curriculum related to racism and reconciliation.
The conference also voted to advance the cause of canonization, on a local level, of Sister Thea Bowman. Sister Thea worked furiously for racial awareness and even spoke to bishops at this meeting thirty years ago.
“She challenged the bishops to provide a space at the table for collaboration and leadership for all of God’s children,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz from the Diocese of Jackson.
After those action items were voted upon, the meeting turned back to discussions of sex abuse; in particular, ex Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Last year McCarrick was a retired cardinal at this meeting. This year bishops called for him to be uninvited, effectively kicking him out of the U.S.C.C.B.
“For us to ignore our responsibility is gravely wrong,” explained Bishop of Forth Worth, Michael Olson.
In an exclusive interview with Currents News, the bishop explained his rationale.
“The Holy Father has removed Former Cardinal McCarrick from the college of cardinals,” said Bishop Olson, “and also directed him to live a life of prayer and penance and isolation. But this body, the U.S.C.C.B., has done nothing.”
Bishop Liam Cary, head of the Diocese of Baker, went on to suggest a comprehensive study on the coverup of abuse by bishops; similar to the John Jay report on abuse of minors.
Speaking about Cardinal McCarrick, he asked “If Archbishop McCarrick were to come to this microphone today, would he be allowed to speak? As a conference we have not ruled out his participation. But there will be no open mic for those who suffered at his hands.”