TOOLKIT
Racial Justice Resources
The Catholic faith, and the policy positions that flow from our faith, is founded upon the belief that every person has inherent dignity:
“United, we seek healing, harmony and solutions that recognize that every person has been created in the image of God and that every person possesses human dignity. …[T]he Catholic Bishops of Maryland have stood firmly in our support of laws that sought to bring about justice and an end to unequal treatment based on race.” – Catholic Bishops of Maryland, 2020
The resources here will help you in advocating for justice.
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Police Reform Townhalls
In fall 2020, the Maryland Catholic Conference organized two townhalls to discuss police reform and racial justice in Maryland, in partnership with members of the Maryland House of Delegates Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability.
Archdiocese of Baltimore
- Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore
- Del. Samuel “Sandy” Rosenberg (D-41, Baltimore City), Maryland House of Delegates Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability
- State Senator Jill P. Carter (D-41)
- Michael S. Harrison, Baltimore Police Commissioner
- Moderator: Andre Hepkins, WBAL-TV 11
Archdiocese of Washington
- Most Reverend (now Cardinal) Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington
- State Del. Darryl Barnes (D-25, Prince George’s County); Maryland House of Delegates Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability; chair, Legislative Black Caucus
- William Milam, Vice President, Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police
- Renee Mortel Joy, chief of the Public Integrity Unit, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office and member, Prince George’s County Police Reform Work Group
Maryland Emancipation Day
On Nov. 1, 1864, a new Maryland constitution ended slavery in the state. This was nearly three months before the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery and more than a year before the 13th Amendment was ratified.
Additional Racial Justice Resources
Prayers, statements, videos, study resources, and more:
- Archdiocese of Baltimore – The Path to Racial Justice
- Archdiocese of Washington – Made in God’s Image anti-racism initiative
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee Against Racism, including the statement Open Wide Our Hearts | Abramos nuestros corazones
- Holy Hour Against Racism
- National Black Catholic Congress (based in Baltimore)
- Canonization cause of Mother Mary Lange (ministered in Baltimore)