POPE FRANCIS ON RACISM
by John R. Connolly
by John R. Connolly
POPE FRANCIS CONDEMNS RACISM:
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Pope Francis, at his General Audience, denounced the "sin of racism." Referring to George Floyd as the victim of a "tragic killing," Francis said that Catholics "cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and [still] claim to defend the sacredness of every human life."
According to pope Francis all racism is evil, no matter the race or socioeconomic conditions. He affirms that it is right and just to point out evils in specific situations' and to argue that "Black Lives Matter." It is time to address overdue changes on behalf of the black community. To address the needs of this community at this time is not exclusive to the fight for justice for other marginalized groups. On the contrary, it is integral to it.
Although Pope Francis supports the rights of the protesters, he did express concern about the violence that occurred during some of the protests, calling it self-destructive.
In his remarks the pope made it very clear that he does not agree with conservative Catholic Trump supporters who make abortion the primary issue in the 2020 presidential election, while viewing racism and all the other social and moral teachings of the church as secondary. In Francis' view all the Catholic Church's social and moral teachings, racism abortion, poverty, immigrations, the environment, violence, health care, and the death penalty are "equally sacred."
Although the Holy See does not wish to be seen as taking sides in the 2020 presidential election, its media operations has made it clear that it does support peaceful protests, denounces the injustices suffered by black Americans, and wishes to reaffirm its longtime support of the message of Martin Luther King, Jr.
