“Racism arises when—either consciously or unconsciously—a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard. When this conviction or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridicule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful. Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt 22:39).

Racism occurs because a person ignores the fundamental truth that, because all humans share a common origin, they are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God.…

Racism can often be found in our hearts—in many cases placed there unwillingly or unknowingly by our upbringing and culture….Racism can also be institutional, when practices or traditions are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. The cumulative effects of personal sins of racism have led to social structures of injustice and violence that makes us all accomplices in racism….

We have also seen years of systemic racism working in how resources are allocated to communities that remain de facto segregated. As an example, the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, resulted from policy decisions that negatively affected the inhabitants, the majority of whom were African Americans.  We could go on, for the instances of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, sadly, are too many.…

What is needed, and what we are calling for, is genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversation is a long road to travel for the individual. Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all is even more challenging. However, in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary to make the journey.”

—US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Excerpts from “Open Wide Our Hearts” (2018)

Truth-telling is an essential part of the repentance process in our faith. To aid in the process of understanding the manifestations of racism, we begin this exploration with the following definitions from the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History and Culture.

“Racism takes several forms and works most often in tandem with at least one other form to reinforce racist ideas, behavior, and policy. Types of racism are:

Individual racism refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals that support or perpetuate racism in conscious and unconscious ways. The U.S. cultural narrative about racism typically focuses on individual racism and fails to recognize systemic racism. Examples include believing in the superiority of white people, not hiring a person of color because something ‘doesn’t feel right,’ or telling a racist joke.

Interpersonal racism occurs between individuals. These are public expressions of racism, often involving slurs, biases, or hateful words or actions.

Institutional racism occurs in an organization. These are discriminatory treatments, unfair policies, or biased practices based on race that result in inequitable outcomes for whites over people of color and extend considerably beyond prejudice. These institutional policies often never mention any racial group, but the intent is to create advantages. Example: A school system where students of color are more frequently distributed into the most crowded classrooms and underfunded schools and out of the higher-resourced schools.

Structural racism is the overarching system of racial bias across institutions and society. These systems give privileges to white people resulting in disadvantages to people of color. Example: Stereotypes of people of color as criminals in mainstream movies and media.”

—Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, “Talking About Race“

Pastoral Letters, Statements, and Guidance from our Bishops
In the search to understand racism and address racial injustice, it is natural for Catholics to turn to Church leaders for a faith-centered perspective. In this section, you’ll find links to documents and resources ranging from national to state to regional levels.

Scholarly information and insights for Catholics seeking greater depth of understanding on racism—its roots, patterns, manifestations, and impacts.