Earlier this month Cardinal Wuerl issued a pastoral letter, The Challenge of Racism Today. In writing the pastoral letter Cardinal Wuerl hopes that all of us in the Archdiocese of Washington might join in a renewed effort to confront what continues to be a grave evil and sin in our society, and to drive it and other intolerance out of hearts, our lives and our community.
Last week I devoted this column to an interview that was published in the Catholic Standard about Cardinal Wuerl’s recently released pastoral letter, The Challenge of Racism Today. I want to continue our reflections on this pastoral letter this week as this pastoral letter is very timely, particularly with events occurring in our country at the present time.
On November 1, 2017, priests of the Archdiocese of Washington received an email from Bishop Knestout announcing that Cardinal Wuerl was releasing a Pastoral Letter entitled, “The Challenge of Racism Today.” Cardinal Wuerl’s letter is not intended to serve as the final word but as a call to rededicating the efforts of each one of us in addressing racism in our midst and bringing reconciliation and healing to our communities.
Pope Francis remarked that the best description of the saints is found in the Beatitudes. He also said that Christ’s followers today are called to confront the troubles and anxieties of our age with the spirit and love of Jesus, as Christian saints have done throughout the ages. Because our new situations require new energy and new commitment, Pope Francis offered a new list of Beatitudes for modern Christians: