Bishop Paul McAleenan has shared his message for Racial Justice Sunday, which takes place this year on Sunday, 1 February, in which he urges all people to engage in encounters founded on respect and love for the other.
The theme for Racial Justice Sunday is: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:21): Promoting Racial Justice in our Parishes.
In his message, Bishop McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Racial Justice for the Bishops’ Conference, recalls the words of St John, who says, “We cannot love God who we cannot see if we do not love our brother and sister who we can see.”
Reflecting on these words, Bishop McAleenan said:
“In the family of the Church and in society there are people from every nation and race, all are important, wonderfully made. The Commandments God has given us guide our lives and our relationships with others – our brothers and sisters.
“The central commandment is to love. To work and to pray for what is best for another person, for what will bring them true happiness and fulfilment is love. In our parishes, schools and communities true love recognises the value of everyone and it is essential to build the Kingdom of God.”
Bishop McAleenan reminds us that:
“Pope Leo XIV speaks of ‘the poverty of those who do not have the means to give voice to their dignity and abilities’. People are poor not only when they have little material possessions. They are poor and made to feel poor when they are excluded and left out.
“Let us remember that the Church flourished and still flourishes today when all people irrespective of their colour or race are embraced.
“So let us not be discouraged. Instead let us create the space for everyone to grow so that all can express their dignity, display their ability, be involved, and enabled to contribute.”
Article from Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales