Special
‘Fratelli tutti’
Pope Francis issues social encyclical calling people to care for one another as brothers and sisters
Guest Columnist Father Wilmer Todd
Lawmakers in at least 15 states have introduced bills that seek to restrict how teachers can discuss racism, sexism and other social issues. Supporters of these laws have designed them to get schools to stop teaching critical race theory that examines how racism has shaped the U.S. legal system. Lawmakers claim that when teachers introduce lessons about race, gender and identity, they are sowing division among students. Opponents and many teachers say they fear such legislation will stifle discussion of how racism and sexism have shaped the country’s history. They worry about the effect this will have on the present situation by threatening educators with possible legal action. This type of legislation aims “to sweep the problem under the rug.” This is in stark contrast to Pope Francis’ teaching in his Encyclical Letter, Fratelli tutti. In the seventh chapter, the Holy Father says, “There is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds. There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively
to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.” He emphasizes that people on both sides of a conflict have to face the truth. “Those who were enemies have to speak from the stark and clear truth. They have to learn how to cultivate a penitential memory, one that can accept the past in order not to cloud the future with their own regrets, problems and plans. Only by basing themselves on the historical truth of events will they be able to make a broad and persevering effort to understand one another and to strive for a new synthesis for the good of all … Truth is an inseparable companion of justice and mercy.” The pope says, “Truth should not lead to revenge, but to reconciliation and forgiveness.” “Every act of violence committed against a human being is a wound in humanity’s flesh; every violent death diminishes us as people. Violence leads to more violence, hatred to more hatred, death to more death. We must break this cycle that seems inescapable.” The pope reminds us that peace making is an ongoing process. “There is no end to the building of a country’s social peace; it is an open-ended endeavor, a never-ending task that calls for the commitment of everyone and challenges us to work tirelessly to build a united nation.” The pontiff emphasized the role of minorities and the poor. He said, “If we have to begin anew, it must always be from the least of our brothers and sisters.”
18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • July 2021
A good example of people in our state doing the opposite is the middle school textbook “Louisiana: Our History, Our Home.” The Louisiana Department of Education rated the textbook as low quality when compared to state content standards. Although given the lowest possible rating, school districts are free to choose their own resources. What is missing is the African American perspective, especially in Chapter 10 that deals with Secession and Civil War. The narrative mentions how white slave owners had to deal with a new reality of paying people to harvest their fields because slavery ended. That makes it look like white slave owners were the ones who were suffering. We need to tell the whole story from everyone’ viewpoint. If we do not, we reopen wounds that have not healed. We must hear “from the least of our brothers and sisters.” When conflicts are not resolved but kept hidden or buried in the past, silence can lead to complicity in grave misdeeds and sins. Authentic reconciliation does not flee from conflict, but is achieved in conflict, resolving it through dialogue and open, honest and patient negotiation. Conflict between different groups “if it abstains from enmities and mutual hatred, gradually changes into an honest discussion of differences founded on a desire for justice.” “Forgiveness and reconciliation are central themes in Christianity and in other religions …
a
