George Floyd, the Catholic Response, and Where It Leaves Us

I received an email from a long-time reader who said that the recent news about George Floyd has been blasting from most news sources almost nonstop but he is greatly disappointed with the lack of Catholic response to the murder. And specifically from Happy Catholic.

It is nice that my reader is under the misapprehension that this is a popular or well-known blog simply because I've been around since 2004. Actually, I am not used to anyone asking or caring what I think about news items. Broad news items are are not really my focus which is why I haven't brought up opinions about politics or COVID-19 tactics. Generally when I speak up about current events it is because of things that are specifically Catholic such as  outrage over how many people knew about Cardinal McCarrick's involvement in the sex scandals and said nothing. It may be minimal, but it is there.

George Floyd's terrible murder as well as that of others have preyed much upon my mind and have been the subject of many of my prayers (specifically Sandra Bland whose death has haunted me ever since it happened). I also have been praying a lot for police officers, both for the good ones who do the right thing and for the bad ones to have their eyes and hearts opened.

My reader's pastor may have been lack-luster in his comments, but Catholic priests and bishops around the country have been vocal.

Here are a few key links that will lead you to further reading.

• Pope Francis and U.S. Bishops Respond to George Floyd's Killing - YouTube and not too long. I liked the 5 takeaway points.
• Open Wide Our Hearts: the enduring call to love. a pastoral letter against racism. In 2018, the USCCB (United States Council of Catholic Bishops) published this 32 page reflection and call to action against racism. 
• Killing of George Floyd exposes blind spot on racism, Catholic advocates say - from Crux Now where there are other good pieces
• Pentecost and the Fires in Our Cities - Word on Fire. The George Floyd connection is in the last two paragraphs, but gets right to the point.
• Catholic leaders are reacting to the George Floyd case. Here’s what they’re saying. - America Magazine which has a good sampling with pull quotes from a wide range of leaders.
  
• USCCB and (Arch)Diocesan Statements on the Death of George Floyd and National Protests. Wow. So many statements.
  

Catholic clergy is not just writing and talking. They are walking too. This inspired me.

Clergy in Minnesota, including the Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, participated in a silent walking protest June 2 to pray at the location where George Floyd died in police custody. Archbishop Hebda offered a Mass for the soul of George Floyd and for his family May 27.

Source

So where does this leave us?

If you are dissatisfied with a lack of comment or direction or action — then you are the one who has noticed. You are the one God has given this job to.

Meet with your pastor about what your parish can do. Don't ask what are the bishops doing. There are 264 of them in this country. There are millions of lay Catholics. What are each of us doing?

Simply by raising the point you are giving your pastor information — that people want more. Working together with our priests and bishops is when we make a difference as Catholics.