Los Angeles Archbishop speaks out on racial tensions
 |
| Los Angeles Catholic Archbishop Jose Gomez.- REUTERS |
The Archbishop of Los Angeles in the US, José H. Gomez
is calling on Catholics to become instruments of unity and healing to overcome
new forms of racism and nationalism.
In a homily delivered at two Los Angeles parishes this
weekend, Archbishop José H. Gomez spoke out on the racial tensions that have
been exposed in the wake of the Aug. 11–12 “Unite the Right” white-nationalist
rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“We are seeing in our country a new kind of racism and
nationalism,” Archbishop Gomez said this weekend. “It is a racism and
nationalism rooted in fear. There is fear about what is happening in our
society. There is fear about what is happening in our economy. Our country has
become so angry and bitter, so divided — in so many different areas.”
Archbishop Gomez called on Catholics to work to overcome new
forms of racism and nationalism and “every ideology that denies the equality
and dignity of the human person.”
“This has been a hard week in our country,” he said, urging
prayers for the people of Charlottesville and calling on Catholics to be “a
true sign and instrument of healing and unity.”
“There is no place in the Church — and there is no place in
American society — for racism or prejudice against people based on their race
or nationality,” Archbishop Gomez said.
He added: “The Gospel teaches us and the saints show us that
beyond the color of our skin or the countries where we come from, we are all
brothers and sisters. We are all children of one Father. And we all have the
Mother of God as our mother.”
Archbishop Gomez pointed out that the national debate over
immigration reform has also been marked by “a lot of racism and nativism…even
among Catholics.”
“This is all wrong and it needs to stop! Our task is to
bring people together, to build bridges and open doors and make friendships
among all the diverse racial and ethnic groups and nationalities in our
country.”
He concluded his homily asking prayers for the nation and
for the Church.
“Let us ask for the grace to believe that God’s love can
transform every heart that is hardened by hatred. And let us ask Mary Our
Blessed Mother to intercede for us — that we might have the strength to keep
building the family of God and keep building a society where every person is
treated as a child of God.”
(Source: Archdiocese of Los Angelus)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét