Joint Statement of Catholic Bishops of Mississippi Against Racism

Bishops release statement on HB 1295, The Life Equality Act

Catholic Day at the Capitol: Mental Health Care in Mississippi

Bishop calls attention to need for mental health reform legislation

Posted on July 6, 2020 by joannaking

A Joint Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Mississippi
Against the Evils of Racism
July 4, 2020

We join our voices to vehemently denounce racism, a plague among us. It is an evil and a force of destruction that eats away at the soul of our nation. Ultimately, it is a moral problem that requires a moral remedy—a transformation of the human heart—and compels us to act. “The evil of racism festers in part because in our nation there has been very limited formal acknowledgement of the harm done to so many, no moment of atonement, no national process of reconciliation and all too often a neglect of our history.” (Open Wide Our Hearts)

“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – a pastoral letter against racism” was officially endorsed in November, 2018 at the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Annual Conference in Baltimore. Following upon this near unanimous endorsement, the Cause for Canonization of Sister Thea Bowman, the granddaughter of slaves, the only African American member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a woman who transcended racism to leave a lasting mark on Catholic life in the late 20th century, was introduced and overwhelmingly approved by the bishops. A prophetic document and a prophetic life combined to show our nation a better way, the path to greater justice and peace, whose beginning and end is the dignity of the human person.

As the Church seeks to be a leaven in society for solidarity, liberty and justice for all, we must recognize our participation in the chains of racism. “Therefore, we the Catholic bishops of the United States acknowledge the many times when the Church has failed to live as Christ taught, to love our brothers and sisters. Acts of racism have been committed by leaders and members of the Catholic Church, by bishops, clergy, religious and laity, and her institutions. We express deep sorrow and regret for them.” (Open Wide Our Hearts)

Significant numbers of African Americans are born into economic and social disparity. We must recognize that generations of African Americans were disadvantaged by slavery, wage theft, “Jim Crow” laws, and the systematic denial of access to numerous wealth-building opportunities reserved for others. Racism can be institutional, when practices or traditions are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. The cumulative effects of personal sins of racism have led to social structures of injustice and violence. (Open Wide Our Hearts)

The heartless killing of George Floyd sparked a national outcry against the tyranny of racism. The actions and inactions of the officers involved are symptomatic of a pattern that has reached critical mass and has exploded across our nation and beyond. That brutal assault violates the fundamental truth lamented in “Open Wide our Hearts” that all people are created in the image and likeness of God. When this truth is ignored, the consequence is prejudice and fear of the other, and all too often, hatred. In the Gospel of John 3:16 we hear the foundation of the Christian faith that “God so loved the world he sent his only Son.” Not surprisingly, in the first letter of John 3:15 we hear “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer.”

Despite the great blessings of liberty that this country offers, especially our freedoms afforded in the First Amendment, which includes both the freedom of religion and to peaceful protest, we must admit the plain truth that for many of our fellow citizens, interactions with the police are often fraught with fear and even danger. At the same time, we reject harsh rhetoric that belittles and dehumanizes our law enforcement personnel as a whole, most of whom labor to keep our communities safe, and we condemn attacks against police and the rioting and violence taking place across our country.

Sister Thea addressed the toxic reality of racism on many occasions and spoke on behalf of her people. “When I was growing up, many of the old women who had undergone the ignominy of slavery were around, and they told us about slavery because we had to know about freedom. They told us about misery. The black woman has a task when the world says to her children, when the world says to her husband, when the world says to her mamma and to her, ‘there is something wrong with you. Your skin is too black. Your nose is too flat. Your hair is too nappy and too short. And you’re slow. And you’re ignorant. And you can’t learn like white folks. And you’re immoral.’ That’s what the racist society told us and told our children about themselves. The result was one of the great problems of the black community, the problem of low self-esteem, and it kills us.” (Mercy College of Detroit 1989). A poster at one of the peaceful protests in our nation illuminates this lament. “We said black lives matter. Never said: only black lives matter. We know: all lives matter. We just need your help … black lives are in danger.”

The enduring call to love is the heart of the matter and the antidote to this toxin. Love is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. For many in Mississippi who strive to live by the Word of God, we cannot ignore the prophets. “You have been told, o mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), and from the prophet Amos, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

Sister Thea’s life is a living legacy and testimony to the sacrifice and commitment of many in the Catholic Church for generations across Mississippi in the quest to overcome racism. Sister Thea was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, December 29, 1937, and grew up in Canton. Her mother was a teacher and her father was the only African American physician in Canton. Her parents sent her to Holy Child Jesus School. Thea was reared as a Protestant, until at age nine when she asked her parents if she could become Catholic. “I was drawn to examine and accept the Catholic faith because of the day-to-day witness of Catholic Christians who first loved me, then shared with me their story, their values, their beliefs; who first loved me, then invited me to share with them in community, prayer and mission. As a child I did not recognize evangelization at work in my life. I did recognize love, service, community, prayer and faith.” (The non-Catholic in the Catholic School)

Gifted with a brilliant mind, beautiful voice and a dynamic personality, Sister Thea shared the message of God’s love through a teaching career. After 16 years of teaching at the elementary, secondary school and university level, the bishop of Jackson, Mississippi invited her to become the consultant for intercultural awareness. In her role as consultant Sister Thea gave presentations across the country; lively gatherings that combined singing, gospel teaching, prayer and storytelling. Her programs were directed to break down racial and cultural barriers. She encouraged people to communicate with one another so that they could understand other cultures and races. In 1984, Sister Thea was diagnosed with breast cancer. She prayed ‘to live until I die.’ Her prayer was answered, and Sister Thea continued her gatherings seated on a wheel chair. In 1989, the U. S. Bishops invited her to be a key speaker at their conference on Black Catholics. At the end of the meeting, Sister Thea’s invitation, the bishops stood and sang “We Shall Overcome” with gusto. Sister Thea lived a full Life. She fought evil, especially prejudice, suspicion, hatred, and things that drive people apart. She fought for God and God’s people until her death in 1990. (Cause for Canonization)

As bishops in our time in Mississippi, we recommit ourselves to continue to liberate the Church from the evil of racism that severely compromises our mission to make disciples of all nations in the name of Jesus Christ. With the ordained priests and deacons, religious and laity in our diocese we pledge ourselves to strengthen our Catholic tradition to educate, to serve, and to empower all who are on the margins in our communities, especially those who are oppressed by the yoke of racism. We are not powerless and the witness of Sister Thea’s life is an icon of hope that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Sincerely yours in Christ, Sincerely yours in Christ,

Joseph R. Kopacz Louis F. Kihneman, III
Bishop of Jackson Bishop of Biloxi

Click here for a pdf copy of this statement. (Spanish)

Posted on May 6, 2020 by joannaking

Joint Statement of Bishops Joseph Kopacz and Louis F. Kihneman, III

We, the undersigned, Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, and Most Reverend Louis F. Kihneman III, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, are writing on behalf of the Catholic Church throughout Mississippi with regard to HB 1295, The Life Equality Act. This bill seeks to protect unborn lives from discrimination in the womb on the basis of race, sex, and disability. We believe in the legal protection of these classes as they are equal in the eyes of our Creator. We seek to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ by caring for the most vulnerable among us.

Our Catholic Charities are very active in supporting pregnancy resource centers, adoption, racial reconciliation, disability rights, and family assistance needs in Mississippi. We will continue to serve those in need while advocating for the preservation of life at all stages. It would be detrimental to our Church’s mission, as well as to the common good of our State, to be silent on matters of human life and discrimination.

The Church’s steadfast stance on the protection of preborn human lives has biblical support, e.g., the words of Psalm 139, declaring that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made, knit in our mothers’ wombs. But even if one does not acknowledge the Bible, the truth that the womb of a pregnant woman contains a unique human life cannot be denied. This truth ought to be reflected by our Mississippi legal system without prejudice.

We thank you for your attention to this critical bill that is before you. As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae, Gospel of Life, The Church reflects deeply on our duty to protect the “least of these” in our society. May the Holy Spirit enlighten your deliberations and decisions to choose wisely on behalf of all people of Mississippi.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Sincerely yours in Christ,Joseph R. Kopacz Louis F. Kihneman, III
Bishop of Jackson Bishop of Biloxi

Download pdf of statement by clicking here.

Mental Health Care in Mississippi
A Conference Sponsored by Catholic Charities Jackson
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
The 2018 Catholic Day at the Capitol, which was to focus on Mental Health Care Reform in Mississippi, was cancelled due to winter weather. The Parish Social Ministry Office of Catholic Charities Jackson has rescheduled the event for Wednesday, May 23, 2018. The day will begin at the St. Peter Cathedral Center and will include two dynamic advocates for mental health, a panel of speakers representing parents, and several agencies, as well as a workshop on Advocacy in place of the usual trip to the Capitol.
Mississippi is currently facing a lawsuit for its lack of compliance with the 2009 Olmstead Supreme Court ruling which required states “to provide community-based treatment for persons with mental disabilities when… such placement is appropriate.” Updates on the 2018 legislative session’s bills related to mental health care will be addressed.
Speakers:
Angela Ladner Dr. Joy Hogge
Executive Director Executive Director
Mississippi Psychiatric Association Mississippi Familes as Allies
9 AM: Arrival at St. Peter Cathedral Center, name tags, coffee, and refreshments
10 AM: Greeting/Welcome – Sue Allen, Catholic Charities Jackson, Of fice of Parish Social Ministry
10:05 AM: Welcome, Opening Remarks and Prayer – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Diocese of Jackson
10:20 AM: Keynote Speaker and Panel Moderator – Angela Ladner, Executive Director, Mississippi
Psychiatric Association
11 AM: Panel Presentation on various aspects of Mental Health Care and the Need for Reform
12:05 PM: Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter
12:45 PM: Box Lunch
Capstone Speaker: Dr. Joy Hogge, Executive Director, Mississippi Families as Allies
2 PM: Advocacy 101 Workshop – John Lunardini, Chief Operating Officer, Catholic Charities Jackson
To register, please visit: www.CatholicCharitiesJackson.org

« October 2020 »

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Maureen Smith

Catholic Day at the Capitol 2018 Intended Press Conference Address

Unfortunately, due to the deep freeze that descended upon Mississippi we were not able to host Catholic Day at the Capitol. This has been indisputable winter weather for any region of our country, although this is an experience of solidarity that we could do without.

As you may know, the critical needs of the state of Mississippi’s mental health system would have been the focus of our day within the framework of Catholic Social Teaching. These seven fundamental principles are the impetus toward a more just and compassionate social order for our families, communities, state and nation. The foundation for these guiding principles is, of course, the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God. Mental illness that is poorly diagnosed or badly treated diminishes a person’s God-given dignity, and is an injustice that must be confronted. How?

Another principle of Catholic Social Teaching that is critically important for someone suffering from mental illness is the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. Even in the fullness of our strength and health, no one goes it alone in this life because we all rely on one another for life’s basic needs and blessings. But this is especially true when illness overwhelms a person and a family system, notably, when someone is suffering from mental illness that radically alters a person’s normal functioning. This is not a rare occurrence because one in five Americans will suffer from mental illness over his or her life span. This breaks down to approximately 70 million people in our nation, affecting just about all of us, directly or indirectly. Organic causes may incite the onset of mental illness, or environmental factors can shatter a heretofore stable way of life, or both.

Consider the havoc that the freezing temperatures have reeked on the City of Jackson’s water system, unaccustomed to such bitter cold. The negative impact on many residents has been pronounced. By way of analogy we can appreciate what happens when harsh realities, not experienced prior, break a person, such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, failing health, the lack of opportunity because of intractable poverty, opioid addiction, abandonment, domestic violence, or being the victim of crime. Vulnerability is the human condition and is always lurking. Whatever the source, a person afflicted by mental illness needs the support of family and friends; and the family needs the support of community services that can keep a person at home and the family intact. Moving away from the default model of institutionalization in the treatment of mental illness to a realizable “new normal” of a network of professional and compassionate services in one’s home and community is the mandate, challenge and direction for all of us to promote and develop.

This leads me to the final of the three principles of Catholic Social Teaching that are relevant to mental health, and that is the principle of Solidarity. The mental health crisis in our nation and state is enormous, and requires the commitment, resources, creativity, and collaboration of every sector of society. We can prevail if there is a steadfast spirit of Solidarity among all who can make a difference: our elected officials, our state agencies, our professional providers and social service agencies, our communities and our families.

People can and do overcome mental illness every day in order to experience the blessings of health with their family and friends, in their familiar neighborhood surroundings and at work – the essential hallmarks of a meaningful life. We call upon our lawmakers to better serve the people of our state by being a catalyst for change in our mental health system. I thank all who commit to the wellbeing and health of our fellow Mississippians.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Jackson

Media Contact:
Maureen Smith
Director of Communications
601-969-3581 (office)
251-753-6917 (cell)
Maureen.smith@jacksondiocese.org