The Church on Racism

The new denunciation of racism by the Roman Catholic Church has a special importance and relevance in its reminder that every continent faces the challenge of rooting out discrimination. The statement challenges the conspicuous abuses of rights without overlooking the almost universal manifestations of prejudice.

“It would be hypocritical to point a finger at only one country,” according to the Pontifical Commission for Peace and Justice. “Rejection based on race exists on every continent. Many practice a discrimination which they abhor in law.”

South Africa and its institutionalized racism are singled out as “an extreme case of a vision of racial inequality.” In appealing for urgent action to end that blatant form of racism, the document argues that there is still time for peaceful evolution of the situation. The document broadened earlier Vatican assaults on anti-Semitism to argue for the first time that “anti-Zionism” can sometimes mask anti-Semitism, as can “undue harassment and restrictions on the free emigration of Jews”--an apparent reference to the Soviet Union. The report also places new emphasis on protecting the rights of aboriginal groups.

The document, “The Church and Racism,” couples praise for the progress made in the United States with appropriate words of caution: “Despite ongoing efforts, much still remains to be done to eliminate completely racial prejudice and behavior even in what can be considered one of the most interracial nations of the world.”