A Message from Bishop Tobin to the Diocese of Providence
June 15, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Diocese of Providence,
Each year on July 4th, our nation pauses to celebrate its birth, its independence, and to renew our commitment to the values that are intrinsic to the American spirit: freedom, justice, peace and prosperity. As the prayers of the Mass on July 4th say: “Jesus spoke to us a message of peace and taught us to live as brothers and sisters... His message lives on in our midst as a task for today and a promise for tomorrow.”
In recent weeks we have been reminded, very powerfully, that the promise of a nation of peace and justice has not yet been perfectly realized, particularly for African Americans and other minorities. Members of the Black community, even now, often experience unjust discrimination, exclusion and unwarranted violence. For them, the American dream is a work in progress; it remains a “task for today and a promise for tomorrow.”
Mindful of that reality, I wish to invite all the members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Providence to spend some time during the weekend of July 3rd to 5th in personal and communal reflection and prayer for the promotion of justice and peace and mutual respect for all the people of our nation. This moment can be an occasion for an honest examination of conscience: What is my attitude about people of other races or ethnic groups? Am I committed to racial justice and equal opportunity for all? Have I failed, in my thoughts, words or deeds, to live these virtues? Do I have any blind spots in this regard? How can I do better in the future?
Some suggestions that parishes and individuals might consider in keeping with this theme:
On that weekend to offer the “Mass for the Nation,” or the “Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice” using the texts found in the Roman Missal. It would be appropriate to address these themes in homilies and to include these intentions in the General Intercessions.
On that weekend, parishes might offer a special time of public prayer – a period of Eucharistic Adoration after Mass, or the recitation of the Rosary. Perhaps a small group of parishioners would like to gather for a Scripture reading, a personal reflection, discussion and prayer. (The Covid-19 restrictions should be carefully observed.)
Perhaps individuals, or families, could pause for a few moments of silence in their homes to pray for those who have suffered and died because of racial injustice, and to ask the Lord to bestow upon our land the gifts of justice, peace and racial harmony.
Parishes are certainly free and are encouraged to develop their own plans and initiatives as well.
It is important to emphasize that this weekend is not a placebo, nor will it be the final word of what we must do to address racial discrimination and injustice. Going forward we need to renew our commitment to study, pray and act, in concrete and tangible ways, to promote dialogue with our brothers and sisters, and to make real progress in securing racial justice and harmony. The Diocese of Providence in its “Strategic Pastoral Plan for Black Catholic Communities” announced last year, has already begun walking together along this path. The plan should be implemented in each of our parishes.
Dear brothers and sisters, as our nation celebrates its Independence Day we do well to rejoice in and thank God for all the blessings of freedom, justice, peace and prosperity he has bestowed upon us. Indeed, our country is “America the Beautiful.” But it will be even more beautiful when “God mends our every flaw,” and the American dream becomes a reality for all of our brothers and sisters.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests. May God bless us, and may God bless America with justice and peace for all!
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence