The Valley Catholic September 5, 2017 | Page 12

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IN THE CHURCH

September 5 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic

By Denis Grasska Catholic News Service

SAN DIEGO – Denouncing racist beliefs and actions as “ blasphemies ” against God , Bishop Robert W . McElroy of San Diego joined with several other faith leaders from the area to speak out against bigotry .

He joined dozens of religious leaders brought together by the San Diego Organizing Project for a news conference Aug . 18 in the courtyard of Saint Paul ’ s Episcopal Cathedral .

The event was held in response to what took place Aug . 11-12 in Charlottesville , Virginia , where hundreds of white supremacists staged a rally against the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen . Robert E . Lee ; the rally ultimately turned violent , leaving one counterprotester dead and more than 30 other people injured . Two state troopers also were killed when the helicopter they were in to monitor the crowd crashed .

In opening remarks , Kathleen Owens of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego said the interfaith gathering was intended “ to send a clear message that the faith community of San Diego will not be silent in the face of racism , bigotry and hatred .”

Before delivering the opening prayer , the Reverend Penny Bridges , dean of Saint Paul ’ s Cathedral , described the event as a “ declaration of our united and unconditional condemnation of racism and white supremacy .”

Beginning with Auxiliary Bishop John P . Dolan of San Diego and concluding with Bishop McElroy , several speakers took to the stage outside the cathedral to reflect on the Charlottesville rally and its aftermath .

Speakers included Imam Taha Hassane , Islamic Center of San Diego ; Bishop George McKinney , 2nd Jurisdiction

Bishop Robert W . McElroy of San Diego speaks out against racial bigotry during an interfaith news conference Aug . 18 at Saint Paul ’ s Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego . ( CNS photo / Denis Grasska , The Southern Cross )

Church of God in Christ ; Pastor Tania Marquez , First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego ; Reverend Mary Sue Brookshire , Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ ; Rabbi Devorah Marcus , Temple Emanu-El of San Diego ; and Bishop Cornelius Bowser , Charity Apostolic Church .

In his remarks , Bishop Dolan contrasted the assembled faith leaders , whose message is one of communion , with many in the world who seem to be “ hell-bent on a mission toward division .”

“ We cannot allow division to be a part of this nation that God has blessed ,” Bishop Dolan said . “ Let us remember that communion is the only reason for us being together today . ... Our communion is the only reason for our desire to be one people under one God .”

In especially poignant remarks , Rabbi Marcus reflected on how it felt as a Jewish person “ to see Nazi flags being waved proudly , without embarrassment or shame , on our American streets ,” and Bishop McKinney , who is African-American , recalled having grown up in the South during “ a dark period in the history of our nation ” and stressed the important role of prayer in overcoming racism .

“ While we fight for justice , and righteousness , and peace ,” Bishop McKinney said , “ we must also remember that this is our Father ’ s world , and we must remember to join together across denominational and faith lines in praying that God would direct our steps and that God would bless America .”

A recurring theme in the speeches was that religious leaders themselves have not done enough to address racism .

“ For too long , too many of us , especially white people , especially white clergy ... have done too little ,” said Reverend Brookshire . “ We have fallen asleep , dreaming that our world is better than it is . We must wake up , we

must stand up , and we must speak up against hatred in all its forms . But we must do so in a spirit of love , lest we become like those we oppose .”

Imam Hassane and Pastor Marquez both challenged their fellow religious leaders to denounce bigotry from the pulpit , and Bishop Bowser called on local and county law enforcement to make advanced preparations and develop public safety plans in case a demonstration similar to that in Charlottesville were to take place in San Diego .

The leadership of the San Diego Organizing Project believes the chances of that are not unlikely , as a recent report identified 79 hate groups active in California , the highest number in any state .

As the event ’ s final speaker , Bishop McElroy said , “ I am proud to stand here today in solidarity with the religious leadership of San Diego to state categorically that the actions , the words and the beliefs of neo-Nazis , the Klan , white militias and all hate groups are blasphemies against the God who is the Creator of the whole human family and looks upon every man , and woman , and child as equal in dignity and in worth .”

The bishop lamented that “ one of the most troubling elements ” about the incident in Charlottesville was that so many of the participants were young people . He noted that this “ puts to the lie ” the belief that younger generations will not inherit the racism of the past , and he encouraged his fellow religious leaders to ask parents to discuss this issue with their children .

Bishop McElroy said he had already requested that the diocesan Office for Schools and the diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry work together on designing an educational module “ specifically about the Charlottesville moment ” for children through young adults .