Editor: Bishop Garcia, you were recently named the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation. Please tell us more about the subcommittee and how it came about.

Bishop Garcia: The subcommittee came about from what was originally the USCCB’s Ad-Hoc Committee Against Racism, which was established in 2017 after several occurrences of racial tension in the U.S. that year. The bishops sought to have a unified voice on issues of racial violence or hatred through the establishment of this committee. Realizing the ongoing importance of its work to address racism and the church’s role in deterring the sin of racism, the bishops decided that the Ad-Hoc Committee should have a permanent place within the USCCB, which led to the transition to the Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation.

There are inequalities in our country that must be addressed, and this subcommittee seeks to promote equity and justice among races. We must see each other as brothers and sisters created in the image of God, regardless of our skin color or our language. The subcommittee also promotes reconciliation among all races. We must ask ourselves if we as a church have somehow allowed racism to occur, especially for our Black Catholic brothers and sisters, who have endured profound hurt over the years. We must acknowledge the hurt and pain that racism causes and seek to reconcile with those whom we have hurt.

Editor: Why do you think you were chosen for the role of chairman of this committee?

Bishop Garcia: I must admit that I was surprised by this appointment because I did not serve on the ad hoc committee. However, after 10 years of serving as a bishop, I have had opportunities to preach about the sin of racism. In the Diocese of Monterey, after the George Floyd incident, I preached about the painful witness of this man dying. Also people who are closer to me have heard my own story of growing up in a small community with diverse ethnic communities and some of the racism I experienced and witnessed as a child.

In their pastoral letter against racism “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the U.S. Bishops point out, “Too many good and faithful Catholics remain unaware of the connection between institutional racism and the continued erosion of the sanctity of life.” It is my hope that as chair of this new subcommittee, I can help draw attention to what still needs to be done to heal the pain caused by the sin of racism that still exists today.

Editor: As people of faith, how do we continue to fight this sin of racism?

Bishop Garcia: First and foremost, we must acknowledge that we are brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God. Yes, we have different skin colors, we may come from different countries, we may have different accents, but despite our differences, there is far more that unites us. We must listen to one another’s experiences, and we must pray together for an end to racial injustice.

We can also learn from history and the experiences of our ancestors. We know that terrible sins have occurred in our past, so we must seek to do better and to combat the sin of racism in ourselves and when we see it in our families and communities. Perhaps not everyone has experienced racial tension, but I think it is important for us to realize that it does exist. Our differences should not be seen as something negative; rather, our differences are a blessing to our church and our world.

Editor: What is your prayer as we seek to put an end to racial injustice?

Bishop Garcia: As I said in my letter after I was appointed chair of this subcommittee, I will not pretend to know what all the answers are to the injustices and problems in our society and church regarding the consequences of racism. However, I pray that each of us will seek to be more like Christ each and every day and to recognize his image in all people.

I pray for the healing of all who have been hurt by the sin of racism, and I pray for the conversion of those whose hearts are hardened by prejudice. I pray that we will strive for the end of racism in all its forms, that we may walk humbly with God and with all our brothers and sisters in renewed unity. Amen.