Statement of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez on the Occasion of Juneteenth: A Time to Honor the Resilience and Gifts of Black Americans While Promoting the Human Dignity of All
This week our country observes Juneteenth. It commemorates the events of June 19, 1865 when the news of emancipation finally reached the remaining 250,000 enslaved black people in Texas—900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect.
Juneteenth is a day of celebration and hope for the black community and all Americans. It is also an occasion to reflect on the fact that it took 89 years for the foundational principle outlined in the Declaration of Independence to be extended to black America.
For those of us living in the Cradle of Liberty and preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in a few short weeks, Juneteenth is a stark reminder that the promises outlined in our primary founding document should rightfully be enjoyed by all those who call America home. The assertion that all men are created equal is rooted in Natural Law and the inherent dignity of every human being. We hold a common responsibility to uphold that dignity and ensure that it is respected.
In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), Pope Leo XIV laments, “the delay with which both society and the Church came to denounce the scourge of slavery” (no. 176). In particular, he has boldly acknowledged the complex and often tragic role that the Church historically has played with regard to slavery and the treatment of enslaved people in the United States. “This constitutes a wound in Christian memory, one from which we cannot consider ourselves detached. It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many in stark contrast to their immeasurable dignity as persons infinitely loved by the Lord. For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon” (no. 176).
Our local Church bears such suffering in her own memory. Some clergy in the 19th century held pro-slavery views, which perpetuated unjust treatment of free and enslaved Blacks. The influence of these attitudes also led to candidates of color being denied admission to Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, segregated reception of the Sacraments, and other measures of racial inequality. Those practices are long gone, but the pain they created still resonates. With deep sincerity, I echo the Holy Father’s sentiments and ask for pardon on behalf of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia.
As Pope Leo said, “The memory of past complicity and blindness in the face of the injustice of slavery becomes a call to vigilance. What we have learned must be translated into discernment and responsibility in the present” (no. 177).
On this Juneteenth, I reaffirm the commitment of our Church to continue working for racial healing and supporting opportunities for reconciliation and repair, especially those led by the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics and the Archbishop’s Commission for Racial Healing.
As I stated in my 2023 pastoral letter, We Are One Body, “we must work to build a just society, seeking policies that dismantle structural injustice, supporting those who work for racial justice, and aligning with all who seek to unite our human family in a manner that is peaceful and respects the dignity of all.”
I encourage everyone to join me in praying with our African American sisters and brothers here and throughout the global diaspora. We pray especially for the African ancestors who were taken from their homes, we reflect on the historical and contemporary significance of emancipation, and we celebrate African American resilience, culture, and significant contributions to our country and to our Church.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
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Catholic Church of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
ArchPhilly
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