Racial injustice

I don’t know where to start in response to Archbishop Gomez (“Archbishop Gomez: Church must proclaim Christ ‘boldly’ in response to ‘woke’ movements,” Nov. 11). His letter filled me with such a lack of hope, I don’t even want to go to church tomorrow. Why does he have a problem with “social justice”? Is it the word social? Better change the name of ice cream socials. Is it justice? Now there’s something wrong with justice? Isn’t it in the Bible? He literally says George Floyd’s tragedy “became a stark reminder that racial and economic inequality are still deeply embedded in our society,” yet in the very next paragraph he is critical of movements that want to “build … a society that expands opportunities for everyone, no matter what color their skin is or where they come from, or their economic status.” Is he saying you can only do this if you’re Catholic, and how dare all those pagans out there think they can just willy-nilly love their neighbor and take care of them, like Jesus said to? I believe that if Jesus were to come to us today, we would excommunicate him up for daring to preach the same things as those “woke” movements. If all we do as Catholics, as Christians, is go to church, go to confession, go to Communion, talk about how much Jesus loves us, and then don’t go out and practice social justice, what is the point? Actions speak louder than words. And Archbishop Gomez’s words were politically charged, holier-than-thou, and empty of love.

Elizabeth Rosenwinkel
St. Albert the Great, Minneapolis

Missed opportunities

We are about midway through the Archdiocesan Synod. While I have hope for this process, many have shared with me frustration with the recent small group sessions. Portions of the synod videos were disappointing and, for many, alienating. First, insufficient attention was paid to issues of race. For example, while Saint Monica was explicitly referred to as a North African saint, all images depicted her as a white woman. The message some received: “To be a saint is to be made white.” Second, “the secular world” discussed was often a caricature. One video warned about the prevalence of “secular moral relativism” among our youth. But today’s youth — and “secular society” generally — are highly moralistic, with objective standards on issues from racism to sexual consent. Third, the videos treated tendentiously the dynamics of disaffiliation. The clergy abuse crisis received virtually no attention. While one video referenced a 2017 finding that the median age for Catholic young adult disaffiliation was thirteen, the video did not mention that many of those disaffiliated took issue with the Church’s approach to homosexuality. My own struggle with the Church includes an internship offer from St. Thomas’ Catholic Studies department which was rescinded after I disclosed that I was gay (and supported Church teaching). At times, the videos did not so much explain why people leave the Church, as they manifested the attitudes and dispositions that often drive us away. I share this because I believe we can do better.

Chris Damian
St. Thomas More, St. Paul

Bishops’ document

Dear U.S. Catholic Bishops, thank you for your love, restraint and humility in declining to chastise Joe Biden and others. You have inspired me with your humility. I have been very proud in dealing with my own divided family and others. I have the sin of pride, which is very unbecoming along with so many other sins. I am especially unaware. I can point out the problems of others but I fail to call everyone back to the table in my own divided family. We don’t always have to agree but we have to love each other. Thank you!! Please pray for me and I will pray for you!

Nancy McLaughlin
St. Cecilia, St. Paul

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