The Office of Black Catholics sponsored its second Diocesan Listening Session, reflecting on the document “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” on August 9, 2025 at the Catholic Life Center.
Bishop Michael Duca, Bishop Joseph Perry (Chair of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism), Shareena Grant (Associate Director of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism) and 93 diocesan representatives were in attendance. Four members of the local church shared their experience with racism and their journey of healing. The Pastoral Letter reminds us that “racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts.”
