Open letter to the United States Congress and to the USCCB

In view of recent events, including the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests that have followed, as well as the conversations on race, inequality, and violence that have found new vigor around the world, Caritas in Veritate CiV USA  desires to set forth succinctly and clearly points that are foundational to its Christian values for the healing of this Nation:

• Along with the rest of the nation,  we mourn the senseless and unjust death of George Floyd. We renew our commitment to bear witness in our words and deeds to the equal intrinsic  dignity of our African-American brothers and sisters among all other members of our pluralistic society deserving of equal justice under the law.
• We are deeply sorrowful  for these unjust actions  experienced by our African-American brothers and sisters. On behalf of all, we ask for their forgiveness, praying to God for His grace and help.
• CiV upholds and defends unequivocally the value of every member of the human family, without exception, from conception to natural death, irrespective of color, creed, gender or race, 
• Racial discrimination is wholly  unjust – always an evil.  As St. Peter spoke in the midst of the early Church: “Truly I now perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). 
• Where justice is established, peace follows. As our social and political deliberations unfold, members of each race should aim to renew trust, impart the gift of forgiveness,    and administer just reparations.  We ask political and spiritual leaders of this nation  to  show joint leadership for justice and peace through concrete example, listening, and remedial action.
• Conversation, deliberation, and mutual respect between all parties  is needed to mediate passion  by deliberation and reason toward the objective of justice and reconciliation.  Violence, lawlessness, and the destruction of property only obstruct this aim.  In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 
• Our social and political deliberations must identify appropriate methods of policing as well as just and urgent reform of the same police force and  the criminal justice system.  By working to extricate  injustices ironically preserved in our law, our nation may advance in the process of healing from historic sins.
• Finally, we also commit to pray to God Almighty for the gift of peace that begins in the heart of each one of us. 

CiV submits these points for consideration to you, our spiritual leaders and  political leaders, with the firm hope that our Heavenly Father will bless our country and culture, that His Son will illuminate our minds and hearts with His revelation of God’s justice and God’s mercy, and that His Holy Spirit will strengthen us and guide us on the way to justice and peace.