While discussions about race and anti-racism continue nationwide, in churches across the Archdiocese of Baltimore, parishioners are gathering to search for ways to come to grips with how racism affects society and one another.
During Lent, “Honest Conversations on Racism,” sponsored by the archdiocesan-based Racial Justice Circles, drew 120 or more participants at St. John the Evangelist in Columbia.
At four weekly meetings held on Zoom, a diverse group of participants listened respectfully whether fellow parishioners shared stories of bias and discrimination or questioned whether racism still exists. Topics included history, identity and culture; bias and privilege; racism and anti-racism; systemic and structural racism. A fifth session, which was held in person at St. John’s, focused on a call to action.
“We didn’t know how it would go,” said St. John’s pastor, Father Gerard Bowen. Parish leaders recognized such discussions could be difficult – and they wanted a unifying message.
“We did not expect the numbers,” Father Bowen said. “That was a blessed and gratifying gift of the parish.”
In addition, the whole parish was asked to reflect on racism at the beginning of Sunday Mass during Lent.
“We thought it was important to tie it to the Eucharist as part of understanding the corporal body of Christ,” Father Bowen said. “No one can say they love God – who they can’t see – while they hate their brother who they can see.”
Similar conversations have taken place at St. Mary in Annapolis and St. Matthew, Northwood/Blessed Sacrament, Baltimore.
In fact, some 25 parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore – and several Protestant congregations – have gathered for the Racial Justice Circle’s “Honest Conversations on Racism.”
“We’ve been doing this for six years,” said Ryan Sattler, a St. Matthew parishioner who with his wife, Joan Sattler, and others have organized these conversations.
The sessions are moderated by members of the Racial Justice Circle, a Baltimore-based group that has since 2014 sought to facilitate dialogue about personal and systemic experiences of racism so they can then act to eliminate bias and discrimination.
“We’re not here to change ideas. We’re here to change hearts,” said Ryan Sattler.
At St. John, Father Bowen said the discussions included inspiring stories of strength, courage, and faith. One participant, he recalled, refused to be called a victim. “She was a victor.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so proud of a parish and so hopeful of how the people responded,” Father Bowen added.
“Many people were struck that this may be the first significant time they’ve talked about racial matters in their lives,” said D. Scott Miller, youth and young adults minister at St. John’s.
Father Bowen noted the respect participants gave to one another, and the expertise of facilitators at keeping the discussion on topic.
Conversations at St. Matthew/Blessed Sacrament parishes, along with the nearby Faith Presbyterian Church, were equally respectful and thought-provoking, according to Father Matthew Buening, pastor. He noted that the parish has held these conversations twice, most recently last fall, soon after he succeeded Father Joseph Muth as pastor.
Although he said he was a little nervous about how the conversations would proceed, “it went better than I could ever have imagined,” Father Buening said.
At St. Mary, which held the “Honest Conversations” in January 2021, the atmosphere occasionally grew intense, the pastor, Redemptorist Father Patrick Woods, told the Catholic Review. “That was a sign of people talking honestly,” he said.
Jo Ann Scipio, a 30-year parishioner and former parish council president of St. Mary, took part in the conversations. She said she understands that it’s a difficult topic for many people, especially since not everyone has had the same experiences with unfair treatment because of race or ethnicity.
“My experience is my experience,” Scipio said.
Talking about personal experiences, she felt, opened the eyes of participants, most of whom were white.
“It definitely does make a difference,” she said, and quoted Maya Angelou. “When you know better, do better.”
“I very much admired how the team created a trusting atmosphere so that all could be heard and respected while at the same time there was honest dialogue that I think helped each of us come to a better understanding of the challenges we face in terms of our society and our own individual actions,” Father Woods said in an email.
Following the discussions, parishes commit to keeping the conversations going.
“This is not a one-off thing,” Father Bowen said. He noted that in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020, he saw a rising awareness of the experiences of Black and Brown people.
St. John’s parishioners formed a Racial Justice Committee in response to Floyd’s murder, as well as more local issues. “We were looking for a way to help move the parish forward in their understanding of racial issues,” said Sarah Lutterodt, the committee’s chairwoman.
Because of the Honest Conversations, people have stepped forward to participate in social justice work. “We see our work as having four components: education, promoting personal engagement, action, and prayer,” she explained in an email to the Catholic Review.
“I realize that our parish is very diverse, but many people have never thought or learned much about racism, its roots and its consequences. This program offered a great opportunity to change that and feedback from participants seemed to confirm this outcome,” added Maria Bayer, vice chairwoman of committee.
In observance of Juneteenth, Sherita Thomas, interim director for the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, was invited to speak June 18 at 11:30 a.m. Other activities are also in the works, according to Lutterodt.
At St. Mary’s, a small committee, the Racial Equity Study group, was formed to meet monthly and provide information for the church bulletin. Recently the group’s members read LaTasha Morrison’s book, “Be the Bridge, Pursuing God’s Heart in Racial Reconciliation.”
“We are moving slowly,” Scipio said.
Among its follow-up actions were participation in a vigil for the slain mother of a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman, as well as Stations of the Cross that used modified prayers about racism by the Catholic bishops.
“We had more people for that Stations of the Cross than any other Stations of the Cross,” Scipio said.
At St. Matthew and Blessed Sacrament, an existing Cross-Cultural Team reinvented its group to take on the challenges raised by the Honest Conversations, according to Father Buening.
“Nothing is going to happen if we sit on our hands to stop this scourge of racism,” Father Buening said. “Hearts and minds can change. New perspectives can be heard.”
Formed in 1999 to celebrate the diversity of St. Matthew, the Cross-Cultural Team set three goals during a retreat, according to Elaine Crawford, who heads the group.
It successfully rallied parish council support for a letter-writing campaign backing six African American candidates for sainthood. It is organizing a future film and discussion program. It will look at the history of St. Matthew and Blessed Sacrament parishes through the lens of racial justice. “We’re not interested in shame and blame. We’re seeing where we were, where we are and how we can go forward,” Crawford said.
“I’m encouraged that so many different faith traditions are taking up this work and I hope that it spreads,” said the parishioner at St. Matthew’s since 1974.
Going forward, Racial Justice Circle members hope to bring the conversations to more suburban parishes, said Toni Moore Duggan, a St. Ignatius parishioner and member of the RJC. “We want to engage more and more people in dialogue about anti-racism,” she said. “All churches can be moving toward it. All people can be moving toward it.”
For more information about the Racial Justice Circle and its Honest Conversation on Racism parish program, contact Ryan Sattler at 717-891-6156 or ryansattler@comcast.net.
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