Background: Where Did This All Begin?
The Commission finds its roots in the Catholic Interracial Council (1937-1961) and Cardinal Krol’s Commission on Human Relations (1963-1990). And in 2021, Archbishop Nelson Pérez created the “Archbishop’s Commission On Racial Healing” (ACRH) to raise awareness of and to address the pervasive and serious sin of racism, which affects all Catholics not only in Philadelphia, but around the country and the world. Responding to Archbishop Pérez’ call for us to become Missionary Disciples for Christ, the ACRH works to transform the Philadelphia Church through a process of sacred encounter, formation, and action to enable dialogue and healing.
Vision: What Do We Hope to Achieve?
Building on the past foundation, Archbishop Pérez’ vision for the Commission was for it to be responsive (and direct) in addressing the nature and practice of the sin of racism. With the key goal that the Commission “look like the people of the Archdiocese and represent all its areas”, the initial cohort was composed of volunteers selected to represent the diverse family of the five counties of the Archdiocese. Members were invited based on their commitment first to racial healing and their desire to be part of the Commission’s creation/establishment, working with these foundational truths in mind:
- The sin of racism affects all of God’s children and denies the dignity of the human person.
- Racial Healing is a key element of the charism of our Catholic Church.
- To eradicate this sin, we need encounter, formation, and action.
- “Healing is a need; diversity is a gift; racism is a sin.” – Most Rev. Efren Esmilla
Progress: What We’ve Done – and What We’re Doing
In its initial stage of formation, Commission members engaged with one another to further learn about issues, discuss the ACRH’s role, and identify opportunities for progress. The initial work consisted of:
- Gathering a diverse community of Catholics to engage in a process of encounter and dialogue
- Publication of Archbishop Pérez’s, We Are One Body: A Pastoral Letter on the Sin of Racism (June 2023)
- Assisting the Office for Catholic Education (OCE) in addressing incidents of racism occurring in our schools, as well as developing and implementing a strategy with the OCE for how to respond to future racial incidents
- Conducting a workshop with school leaders on addressing racism in our Catholic High Schools
- Offering support and opportunities for dialogue with students and faculty in the aftermath of racial incidents
- Co-Presenting town halls and workshops on racism with partnering organizations
- Serving as a resource for Racial Healing for parishes, Archdiocesan offices, and other institutions
- Producing We Find Hope in You: A Concert for Racial Healing
- Leading educational opportunities on racial healing, such as our Book Club for Racial Healing.
What’s Next: Where Are We Headed?
In June 2024, Archbishop Pérez asked Commission Leadership for an assessment of progress and for a broad plan to heighten awareness of the very practical value of the Commission as an active catalyst for Racial Healing, and to integrate its work into the structure and fabric of the Archdiocese.
Building on what we have learned, the next stage of the Commission’s work has several goals:
- To integrate the work of the Commission into the institutional structure of the church, by aligning its membership along the current Deanery boundaries. As of early 2025, each Deanery has a representative serving on the ACRH.
- For the Commission to be used as a key resource to advance the cause of eradicating the sin of racism throughout the Archdiocese.
- To highlight Racial Healing as both a life issue and key element of Catholic social teaching.
- To facilitate our Gospel call to be a unified people in Christ and to become “saints of the Church”.
In 2024, Archbishop Pérez asked Bishop Efren Esmilla to succeed Bishop John McIntyre to provide continued support, oversight, and guidance for the implementation of this next phase of the Commission’s work for racial healing.
Are you looking for resources, facilitators, or guidance for racial healing in your community? Please reach out to Ms. Marcelle McGuirk, Chair: openwideourhearts@archphila.org