Sarah Mitchell
The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked conversations about racial justice within the Catholic Church. While some Catholics have expressed hesitation towards the movement, citing concerns about its alignment with Catholic values, others have embraced it as a reflection of the Church's commitment to racial equality and the inherent dignity of all people. The movement has also prompted discussions about the role of the Catholic Church in addressing racism and advocating for social justice, with some Catholics emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the broader movement for racial justice and the specific organizations that use the phrase Black Lives Matter with varying agendas and goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Black Lives Matter is a movement, not an organization | Black Lives Matter is a movement that fights against racial injustice and violence inflicted on the Black community by the state and vigilantes. |
| Black Lives Matter is not anti-Catholic | Black Lives Matter is not anti-Catholic as it aligns with Catholic values of family, community, universality, life, and faith. |
| Catholics support Black Lives Matter | Catholics support Black Lives Matter and believe that the Church has an important role in working for racial justice. |
| Black Lives Matter is not anti-Christian | Black Lives Matter is not anti-Christian, but some Catholics hesitate to attend protests or events because they say that "all lives matter." |
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What You'll Learn
Black Lives Matter is not anti-Catholic
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is not anti-Catholic. The movement has emerged out of recent racially charged tragedies, where Black men and women have suffered unjust death and injury at the hands of the white majority. The Catholic Church has many great social justice teachings and a moral obligation to defend all life from beginning to end.
The phrase "Black Lives Matter" is not meant to devalue the lives of others. It is a whole movement for racial justice that has become global and without a single leader. It is a rallying cry that has united parishioners and surfaced out of the gross negligence, disdain, and lack of value for Black lives.
Some Catholics hesitate to attend protests or other events because they say that not only "Black lives Matter," but that "all lives matter." However, this fails to recognize that in practice in the U.S., "what we've seen is that Black lives don't (matter)." As Catholics, we are called to lament and condemn the murders of our Black sisters and brothers. We cannot say we are fully "pro-life" if we routinely overlook the conditions in which far too many people of color live.
While some of the tenets of the movement can be challenging for Catholics, including the movement's emphasis on the gay and transgender community, these differences should not impede our Christian duty to work for racial justice. Pope Francis calls us to engage in the art of accompaniment and to "look more closely and sympathetically at others whenever necessary."
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Catholics are called to combat racism
Racism is a radical evil that divides the human family. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that every form of social or cultural discrimination based on race is incompatible with God's design and must be curbed and eradicated. The Catholic Church has long struggled with racism, both within its ranks and in the broader society. While the Church has made efforts to combat racism, it has also been criticised for not doing enough.
The Black Lives Matter movement emerged out of racially charged tragedies, where Black men and women have suffered unjust death and injury at the hands of the white majority. While some Catholics have expressed hesitation to participate in the movement, Catholic leaders have emphasised the importance of racial justice and encouraged Catholics to act, while distinguishing between the broader movement for racial justice and specific organisations that use the phrase "Black Lives Matter".
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, a Black Catholic deacon, has stated that Catholics should not support the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation due to its policies on family and sexuality, which he characterises as "a radical feminist agenda disguised as a movement for 'Black Lives Matter.'". However, he encourages Catholics to march and protest against the inequitable treatment of Black people by those in authority. Father Bryan Massingale, who delivered a keynote presentation at the Black Lives Matter Symposium in 2015, urged the Church to see the Black Lives Matter movement as one that unites parishioners, rather than separates them. He emphasised that embracing Black Lives Matter does not assert that other lives are less important but recognises the gross negligence and disdain for Black lives.
EWTN radio host Gloria Purvis, who is African-American, has also encouraged Catholics to say "Black Lives Matter", explaining that the phrase represents a movement for racial justice and does not imply membership or endorsement of any specific organisation. She notes that saying "Black Lives Matter" is not meant to devalue the lives of others but to acknowledge that, in practice, Black lives have been treated as expendable and disposable.
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Black Lives Matter is a movement, not an organisation
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a decentralised political and social movement that aims to highlight racism, discrimination, and racial inequality experienced by Black people. The movement advocates for anti-racism and seeks to promote policy changes related to Black liberation and criminal justice reform. BLM is not an organisation with a centralised structure or hierarchy; instead, it is a grassroots movement that emphasises local organising over national leadership.
The phrase "Black Lives Matter" first emerged as a Twitter hashtag and a slogan following the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012. It gained momentum amid protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, after the shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer. Since then, it has become a rallying cry for a broad social movement, with local chapters and related organisations advocating for racial justice. While there are specific groups that label themselves "Black Lives Matter", such as the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the overall movement is decentralised and lacks a formal hierarchy.
The Black Lives Matter movement has faced criticism and misconceptions, with some equating it to a single organisation. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, for example, distinguishes between the broader social movement for racial justice and the policies espoused by specific Black Lives Matter organisations on family and sexuality, which he characterises as "a radical feminist agenda disguised as a movement for 'Black Lives Matter.'" However, it is important to understand that Black Lives Matter is a diverse and multifaceted movement that encompasses various groups and individuals working towards racial justice.
The Catholic Church has had varying responses to the Black Lives Matter movement. Some Catholic leaders recognise the Church's role in working for racial justice and view the movement as a way to unite parishioners. They emphasise that saying "Black Lives Matter" does not devalue the lives of others but instead acknowledges the historical and ongoing treatment of Black lives as expendable. However, some Catholics hesitate to engage with the movement, preferring to say "all lives matter." Additionally, there are Catholic organisations that host events and workshops to address topics related to racial justice, such as the effects of mass incarceration on Black families and understanding white privilege.
In conclusion, Black Lives Matter is a movement that encompasses a diverse range of individuals and organisations working towards the common goal of racial justice for Black people. While there may be specific groups that adopt the name "Black Lives Matter," the overall movement is not an organisation in the traditional sense, as it lacks central leadership and encourages local autonomy. Understanding this distinction is crucial to comprehending the nature and impact of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Catholics should support racial justice
The Catholic Church has long been committed to fighting racial injustice and promoting equality. The Second Vatican Council defined the Church as "a sign and instrument ... of communion with God and of unity among all men" that "transcends the distinctions of race and nationality". The Church's universality, or "catholicity", is manifested in its spread throughout the world.
However, racism still exists within the Church and society. Black Catholics have expressed that their cultural heritage is a gift, as is their Catholic faith, and that sharing this enriches their community, Church, and themselves. But racism within the Church has hindered the full development of Black leadership, with minorities meagerly represented on decision-making levels.
Catholics can also support racial justice by attending protests. While some Catholics hesitate to do so, arguing that "all lives matter", the phrase "Black Lives Matter" does not devalue the lives of others. Rather, it asserts the value of Black lives, which have historically and continue to be treated as expendable in American society. Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement does not mean endorsing all of its elements or the agenda of specific organizations using the phrase.
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Catholics' views on Black Lives Matter are mixed
The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked conversations about racial justice within the Catholic Church, with varying opinions among its members. While some Catholics fully embrace the movement, others hesitate to associate themselves with it due to perceived contradictions with Catholic teachings.
Support for Black Lives Matter within the Catholic Church
Many Catholics recognize the importance of racial justice and view the Black Lives Matter movement as an expression of fundamental Catholic values of family, community, universality, life, and faith. They argue that the phrase "Black Lives Matter" does not devalue the lives of others but instead emphasizes the importance of Black lives, which have been historically treated as expendable. This perspective aligns with the Catholic belief in the dignity and value of human life, as well as the Church's commitment to combating racism and white supremacy.
Catholics who support the movement emphasize that it is not about pitting one race against another but about addressing the specific injustices faced by the Black community. They argue that the Church has a moral obligation to stand against racial inequality and that the Black Lives Matter movement provides a secular version of Catholic social teachings.
Hesitations and Criticisms from Catholics
However, some Catholics express hesitations about fully embracing the Black Lives Matter movement. They argue that while racial justice is important, the movement's specific organizations, such as the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, promote ideologies that contradict Catholic teachings on family and sexuality. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, for example, stated that the policies of this organization constitute "a radical feminist agenda disguised as a movement for 'Black Lives Matter'," and that "no Catholic can support the national organization, whatsoever."
Another point of contention for some Catholics is the phrase "Black Lives Matter" itself. Some Catholics prefer to say "all lives matter" to emphasize the value of every human life, regardless of race. They argue that focusing solely on Black lives may devalue the lives of other races. Additionally, some Catholics criticize the movement for its perceived hostility towards Christianity and its emphasis on the gay and transgender community, which they believe contradicts their religious values.
A Divided Church
Overall, the Catholic Church's response to the Black Lives Matter movement is mixed, with some members actively participating in protests and dialogues, while others distance themselves due to ideological differences. While the Church recognizes its role in racial justice, the variety of opinions within its congregation reflects the broader societal debate surrounding the movement.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Black Lives Matter is not anti-Catholic. The movement has emerged out of recent racially charged tragedies, where black men and women have suffered unjust death and injury at the hands of the white majority. The Black Lives Matter movement aims to combat white supremacy and racial violence against Black persons, along with promoting the dignity of Black people.
The Catholic Church has many great social justice teachings and a moral obligation to defend all life from beginning to end. Catholic leaders say the Church has an important role in working for racial justice, but that protesting for justice does not imply endorsement of the positions taken by Black Lives Matter organizations.
The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. The organization should be distinguished from the broader social movement for racial justice.
Catholics can support Black Lives Matter. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, a black Catholic deacon of the Diocese of Portland, Oregon, said, "Marching to protest the inequitable treatment of black people by those in authority—that's good." Catholics are called to lament and condemn the murders of their black sisters and brothers. However, Catholics are urged to pray first before acting for racial justice.
