Anti-Racism

As Catholics, we affirm our commitment to end racism and white supremacy. First and foremost, all of us must seek the light of God, the light of truth in recognizing oppression.

Anti-Racism is a priority of the AUSCP. The working group, headed by Father John Judie, a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, has prepared a three-year Strategic Plan with specific actions proposed for each year. Members of the Working Group are also listed with brief biographical material.

Year 1

The task for the first year is to “Acknowledge and Address Racism Within Oneself.”

Year 2

The task for the second year is to “Acknowledge and Address the Sins of Racism in our Church.”

Year 3

The task for the third year is to “Dismantle Structural and Deeply Systemic Racism in our American Society.”

Fr. John Judie is a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville. He serves as chair of the AUSCP Working Group on Anti-Racism. Following is a video excerpt of Fr. Judie’s 2022 presentation, along with his text.

Father Judie’s presentation in 2023 was entitled, Moved with Compassion, and begins with a quotation from Mark 6:34. “When Jesus disembarked (from the boat) and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with compassion for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd…”

Father Judie plans to continue his series at the 2024 AUSCP Assembly in Lexington.

Other Featured Anti-Racism Content

Fr. Bryan Massingale (a keynote speaker of our AUSCP Assembly in Atlanta) speaks about “Racism and the Catholic Church.” His presentation is one of a series available from the Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights at the University of Notre Dame.

In the video below, Dr. Robin DiAngelo focuses on the oppressive behavior that is born out of white privilege. “Deconstructing White Privilege” describes the most obvious and explicit aspects of racism and white privilege, while going beyond the surface of racism. 

AUSCP News and Resources to End Racism & White Supremacy

AUSCP Anti-Racism Committee Members

Rev. John T. Judie, Chair
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky – August 1, 1987
Retired: June 21, 2018
Phone Number: 502-438-4339
E-mail: johnjudie48@gmail.com

Rev. James Henke
I am a retired Catholic priest. I grew up on a farm in a small, south Texas, very segregated town. I served in a variety of parishes in and around San Antonio, several of them were mostly Hispanic and others of mixed membership.

Jair Peltier
I am from the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa in North Dakota. My hometown is Bottineau, ND. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Southern California in Political Science and International Relations. I currently reside in Pico Union, Los Angeles, CA. My research focuses on indigenous sovereignty and tribal constitutions and the impact of written constitutions on political and economic development in Indian Country across the United States.

Fr. D. Bruce Nieli, C.S.P.
From Long Island, New York
Ordained a Paulist priest, May 5, 1973, at St. Paul the Apostle Church on Manhattan’s West Side
Founding Director, the Center for Spiritual Development, Archdiocese of New York
Former Evangelization Director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Currently a Papal Missionary of Mercy assigned to the Paulist Preaching Apostolate, Austin, Texas
Spiritual Advisor, Catholic Charities of Central Texas

Leo D. Figueroa
Leo is an attorney, having practiced law for over 30 years. He and his wife have been parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in San Antonio for over 38 years, with Leo serving in various lay ministries over that time.

Bob Reinhart
Bob is a retired priest from Toledo diocese, 61 years ordained, mostly in parish ministry with 12 years of high school teaching while in parish ministry and with many years of ecumenical collaboration.

David Bonnot
David, 80 years old, lives in Franklin, TN; member of Holy Family Catholic Church of the diocese of Nashville; widower; worked for GE and Nortel Networks.

Ofelia Wattley, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
Member of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the only African American Basilica in the United States of America. Active with: Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice, the Tidewater Sowers of Justice, Christians United for Social Change. Retired, 32 years in supervision of Child & Family Welfare Programs, adjunct faculty in the Graduate School of Social Work with local HBCU, Norfolk State University.

Jean Pryor
Jean is a member of Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget’s Parish, a faith community of African American tradition in the Diocese of Rochester, NY. She is retired from Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield. She is an active volunteer in the Rochester community: President, lyceum #1993, Toastmasters International and AARP.

Anne Kiefer
Anne is retired from a career in volunteer management. She is a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Community in the Rochester, NY Diocese. She served for many years as an advocate in educational settings for students with disabilities. She is a volunteer legislative advocate for Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice on the New York State Team. She is a member of the Yates County, NY Democratic Committee and has volunteered for local, state and federal level electoral campaigns.

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