Today’s Topic: The Catholic Church & Slavery
Although papal bulls and documents dating back to the 1500s exist officially condemning slavery, many Catholic individuals and organizations (including the Jesuits who founded and ran Georgetown University) owned slaves. This does not mean the Catholic Church condoned slavery, but it does mean we, like the rest of the human race, have a troubled past of which we need to be aware and strive to do and be better.
Option #1: Read this quote & reflect: “An increasing number of Catholic orders with roots in the pre–Civil War United States have begun to take concrete steps to confront and atone for their complicity and agency in the history of chattel slavery. “ Dr. Shannen Dee Williams
Were you aware of the history of slave-owning by Catholic institutions and families in the US before this?
How does this knowledge affect you?
Option #2: Read the following excerpt from the article ‘Let My People Go: The Catholic Church and Slavery’ (full article link here)
“Pope Paul III applied the same principle to the newly encountered inhabitants of the West and South Indies in the bull Sublimis Deus (1537). Therein he described the enslavers as allies of the devil and declared attempts to justify such slavery null and void. Accompanying the bull was another document, Pastorale Officium, which attached an excommunication remittable only by the pope himself for those who attempted to enslave the Indians or steal their goods. “
We all know Catholics (looking in the mirror at myself) who do not follow all teachings of Scripture and the Catholic Church. But that does not mean the official stance of the Catholic Church changes or endorses my behavior. I need to look inside myself and pray for conversion of heart accordingly.
Racism, negative implicit bias, prejudice, & stereotypes are all things that cause us to make judgements about people that aren’t based in fact. Where is an area in yourself you can identify might need a little further examination and “work”?
Families: Have you ever seen a picture of Jesus or Mary where they looked Middle Eastern? There are images of Jesus appearing Korean or Japanese and Mother Mary appearing black or Mexican. These images help Catholics around the world see ourselves in Jesus and to see Mary as our mother, too.
Jesus Around the World (pinterest board) collection by Yvonne Prignon
International Images of the Blessed Mother (pinterest board) collection by Theresa Squire
Which images stood out to you? Why?
. Additional Resources:
Religious Orders owning slaves isn’t new - black Catholics have emphasized this for years by Shannen Dee Williams
The History of Black Catholics in America by Smithsonian Magazine. The Black Catholic Movement reinvigorated the church, with liturgical innovation, new preaching styles and activist scholarship
What can Catholics do to overcome racism? by Ascension Presents. Fr. Mark-Mary asks Fr. Pierre Toussaint about his experience of racism and division in the Church. And Fr. Mark-Mary listens.
How should we talk with children about slavery? by Rebekah Gienapp