A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 14 of 19)
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
 African-Americans have experienced the Gospel as a
liberating path. Faith has always had a role in promoting our freedom and
advancing the struggle for social justice.
ACTIONS SINCE CONGRESS IX
§ Identified certain priority areas of concern (listed below)
§ Developed several suggested strategies for the
effective formation of Black Catholics in social ministry
§ Identified practical actions that Black Catholics
can take to understand, embrace and implement the principles of Catholic social
teaching, whether personally or at parish, diocesan, organizational or national
levels
CONTINUING OUR SOLIDARITY IN ACTION (2007 - 2012)
Goal
As Eucharistic people and ministers of Reconciliation, we recognize Christ's
real presence in the least of our brothers and sisters. As Black Catholics, we
will view Catholic social teaching and the capacity to act on it through the
lens of the Black experience, creating and utilizing resources and approaches
that reflect and build upon our reality.
Steps to Achieve Goal
#1: Black Catholics will become more knowledgeable of and engage more
actively in addressing the following priorities:
- § Sacredness of human life
- § Economic poverty
- § Criminal justice system
- § Peace
- § Health care, including mental health.
#2: Effective formation strategies include
modifying existing formation programs, as needed, to utilize the wisdom,
insights and experiences of Black Catholics seeking justice.
#3: Practical actions that Black Catholics
can take today include:
- § Engaging in advocacy and civic participation
- § Incorporating social justice in liturgical celebrations and all facets of
parish life
- § Creating communication and education tools for social justice ministry
that are helpful to Black Catholics, and
- § Intentionally building strong relationships with other Catholics of
African descent to advance social justice.
SACRAMENTAL FOUNDATIONS THAT HELP OUR EFFORTS TO
BEAR FRUIT
Sacrament of Baptism ~ Through Baptism, we are called to nourish right
relationships with God and with others. We reject evil, in all its forms,
individual or social. Living out our Baptismal promises means setting aside
indifference and taking action to "let justice surge like water, and goodness
like an unfailing stream." (Amos 5:24)
Sacrament of Eucharist ~ The celebration of
Holy Mass includes the table of the Word of God and table of the Eucharist.
Before the proclamation of the Gospel, we pray that the Word of Christ will
influence what we think, say, and do. At the table of the Eucharist, the blood
and wine become Christ's Body and Blood so that we who receive Him can become
Christ to one another. We make a place at the table for the poor and vulnerable.
Sacrament of Reconciliation ~ We receive the
grace and peace of this sacrament on the basis of making a good examination of
conscience, acknowledging our sins, doing penance, and seeking to sin no more.
Our sacramental experience teaches us that reconciliation in society also
requires an honest examination, to acknowledge the laws and institutions that
oppress the dignity and life of some, for the advantage of others.
Reconciliation requires prayer to repent of our ways and it requires a
commitment to action, so as to "sin no more."
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