The Catholic Church and Racism
Racism is throughout all aspects of Catholic teachings and is a big part of our history.What does the Catholic Church think about Racism?
Everything in the world today is growing, ways of life are accelerating at a fast pace. Even though our world is ever changing, racism is still found everywhere. Ethnic violence is most likely increasing and the need to have a unique and superior identity to everyone else is more common. This issue is becoming more and more violent and can lead to barbarous acts. Apparently since 1988 in regards to racism, the situation has not improved and even has even got worse. The Holy See believes a world conference on racism would be very beneficial and important for peace throughout the world. South Africa is an example of increasing racial and ethnic issues in relation to its recent ‘Ethnic Cleansing’.
Racism is a personal sin and social disorder that revolves around the belief that one race is superior to another. Religious, social, economic, political and historical power is required to make sure all races are equal and privileged. Racism exists within all people in all different kinds of forms, but any form of racism is unacceptable. The biggest example of racism is between the Black and White divisions. Addressing the long and complex injustice between these two races will help everybody understand more about racism. Racism can be personal, cultural or internal. Personal racism is when a person takes away the God given rights away from another because of his/her race. Cultural racism is when someone is sinful towards customs, languages and a type of life for a whole community. Internal racism is when a personal lacks self-esteem because they belong to a particular race. Racism is a sin in all forms and it should not be placed upon any human being no matter what race they are.
The Vatican believes that in the world, we need a permanent programme of action to address racism. There needs to be new ways to plan for coexistence between all individuals and respect for each other. Pope John Paul II believes we need a culture “in which we recognize, in every man and woman, a brother and a sister with whom we can together walk the path of solidarity and peace”. The world’s population needs to remember that we as humans exist as one family and racism has no place among us. True religious belief has no relation with racist attitudes and practices and we cannot call upon God if we treat any person created in Gods image in a racist manner. Our world today exploits and corrupts religion in some places, creating false information and beliefs to influence a person against a certain race. Overall, religion can be a strong force against racism but can only do so much. An international programme is definitely needed in the fight against racism around the world.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
II. Equality and Differences Among Men
· 1934: “Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.”
· 1935: “The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it:
- Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design.”
These quotes from the Catechism are stating that all of man, every human being ever created is completely equal because all people were created by God in his image. Also, all of man was redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ and should all have equality. Racism is contrary to this because it is displays that one race is superior to another. All discrimination against sex, race, colour, sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion is meant to be eradicated as it does not relate to the equality God gave us as we were designed in his image. Racism is the opposite of these teachings and does not abide by what these teachings are stating. Racism is all about inequality and superiority. For racism to be cleansed from the Earth, it needs to follow and learn from these teachings.
Racism is a personal sin and social disorder that revolves around the belief that one race is superior to another. Religious, social, economic, political and historical power is required to make sure all races are equal and privileged. Racism exists within all people in all different kinds of forms, but any form of racism is unacceptable. The biggest example of racism is between the Black and White divisions. Addressing the long and complex injustice between these two races will help everybody understand more about racism. Racism can be personal, cultural or internal. Personal racism is when a person takes away the God given rights away from another because of his/her race. Cultural racism is when someone is sinful towards customs, languages and a type of life for a whole community. Internal racism is when a personal lacks self-esteem because they belong to a particular race. Racism is a sin in all forms and it should not be placed upon any human being no matter what race they are.
The Vatican believes that in the world, we need a permanent programme of action to address racism. There needs to be new ways to plan for coexistence between all individuals and respect for each other. Pope John Paul II believes we need a culture “in which we recognize, in every man and woman, a brother and a sister with whom we can together walk the path of solidarity and peace”. The world’s population needs to remember that we as humans exist as one family and racism has no place among us. True religious belief has no relation with racist attitudes and practices and we cannot call upon God if we treat any person created in Gods image in a racist manner. Our world today exploits and corrupts religion in some places, creating false information and beliefs to influence a person against a certain race. Overall, religion can be a strong force against racism but can only do so much. An international programme is definitely needed in the fight against racism around the world.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
II. Equality and Differences Among Men
· 1934: “Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.”
· 1935: “The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it:
- Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design.”
These quotes from the Catechism are stating that all of man, every human being ever created is completely equal because all people were created by God in his image. Also, all of man was redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ and should all have equality. Racism is contrary to this because it is displays that one race is superior to another. All discrimination against sex, race, colour, sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion is meant to be eradicated as it does not relate to the equality God gave us as we were designed in his image. Racism is the opposite of these teachings and does not abide by what these teachings are stating. Racism is all about inequality and superiority. For racism to be cleansed from the Earth, it needs to follow and learn from these teachings.
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