Denver Catholic

Catholic issue or a Latino Catholic issue; as it affects us as people God, it's a Catholic issue. When the Church comes at it from that perspective then we will really be on the right track. Historically, I do believe the Catholic Church is far behind in addressing those issues. But we're moving in the right direction. JANAYE: I always feel like there's more that can be done. I really do think it's really just about bringing it back to the fundamental teachings of the Church and how they're applied to everyday life. Recognizing humanity in one another, preaching the same love for your neighbor... that's the foundation of a lot of how we as Christians and as Catholics really guide ourselves. Helping people to see past difference. A lot of times, we find fear in indifference instead of being able to reach across and really just embrace someone who has different values, who looks different. It's not really just a race issue either. It's something that I think if we apply that same approach to a variety of issues that tend to polarize or divide this country and this world, that we will be able to better understand each other. For me, that baseline philosophy across the board is just, "how do we work across dif- ference?" If the Church is able to show that and not just say it, but also act on it in a way that sets an example, it helps those of us who are following those words and following those teachings to then also do the same. DUSTIN: I think the Church has done an amazing job in the recent situa- tion. I will say that I think it's important for all of us to realize that like any sin, we all struggle. We all have to get better. And we all have to go to the Holy Sacrament to be healed and absolved of things that we struggle with. I've seen people that are part of the mystical body of Christ, whether in a leadership role or clergy or even just my fellow lay people, practice racism in ways that I don't even know if they realized it. I'd say there's an inherent, "Well, I just have never been in this situation. I don't know how to treat you. I don't know how to deal with this. I didn't even know there were black Catholic people." It's unfortunate that it still tends to infect even our faith communities. But I wouldn't say it's the Church in any way, because the Church is much bigger than that, and I think the Church does to do its part to speak out against these things and does a beautiful and amazing job. I like how the USCCB mentioned that this is a life issue, because I'd love to see this go with hand-in-hand with life. In some ways it's like systemic or structural sin – one begets another. You have abortion clinics in all of these inner-city, poor and impoverished neighborhoods. You're essentially saying that black lives don't matter starting at the womb. We've got to be on the same page here because it's really all about the sacredness of life at all stages. DC: What would your message be for somebody who perhaps isn't black but wants to show their solidarity and support for the black community? KATERI: I would say be willing to not only be part of but to encourage the difficult and courageous conversations that have to be had because we have to be able to communicate. It's going to be uncomfortable, but with a loving, generous heart, say "yes, I'm going to push myself out of my comfort zone" and to encourage that within your own circles of influence and definitely within the Church and within your own parishes, because even though many people do belong to parishes that don't have many people of color, those conversations still need to be had. Support your priest when they 8 DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE 13-26, 2020 When I start to talk about my experience as a black person and how it differs from someone who isn't black, it tends to drive people away. But at the end of the day, we all have similar qualities. We all have this human experience that we're going through. My ultimate goal is just to help people see that I'm just as human as the next person. JANAYE MATTHEWS "

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