25th Anniversary "Brothers and Sisters to Us"
U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Statement on Racism

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November, 1979-November, 2004

Twenty five years ago the U.S. Catholic bishops approved "Brothers and Sisters to Us" a pastoral statement on racism. The theme for this year's anniversary is "Looking Back, Pressing Forward, Seeing Today's Realities."

The 25th Anniversary events and programs officially opened at the November 2004 General Meeting of the U.S. Bishops. The Bishops' Committee on African American Catholics and the Secretariat for African American Catholics hosted a breakfast forum in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary to share with the U.S. bishops the research findings of a survey on the implementation of the pastoral statement. In addition, the opening Mass of the Bishops' November plenary was dedicated to celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the pastoral statement.

During the 2004-2005 calendar years, the Secretariat for African American Catholics is encouraging dioceses, national organizations and parishes to host activities to celebrate this milestone year and continue to educate and discuss the effects of racism in the present day.

Here are some special activities during the anniversary year:

In conjunction with the Year of the Eucharist, the Department of Black Catholic, Ethnic and Community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be hosting a special anniversary Mass. They have also developed an education packet, "One Bread, One Body: The 25th Commemoration of Brothers and Sisters to Us."

Catholic organizations such as Pax Christi and the Jesuit Conference Social and International Ministries devoted the winter edition of their newsletter to reflections on the 25th Anniversary.

For more information about the 25th Anniversary of Brothers and Sisters to Us check out the Secretariat for African American Catholics website at www.usccb.org/saac.

Catholic organizations such as Pax Christi and the Jesuit Conference Social and International Ministries devoted the winter edition of their newsletter to reflections on the 25th Anniversary.

For more information about the 25th Anniversary of Brothers and Sisters to Us check out the Secretariat for African American Catholics website at www.usccb.org/saac.

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