Confronting racism in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church The Conversation

The issue of racism affects us all. After the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer, many conversations were started in our communities around the issue of racism. Tonight's conversation begins with a question from a parishioner whose family experienced racism in one of our parishes. Bishop Bryan opens his answer by instructing all of us to confront racism in our parishes when we encounter it, no matter how subtle the gesture or comment might be. He also emphasizes the fact that, as a member of a persecuted community, he can approach the issue of racism as a 'wounded healer'. Finally, Bishop suggests that, in part, we look at racism through the psychological lens of a phobia. Fr. Warren offers us insight on what it was like living in the deep South of the U.S. and cautions Canadians to not see racism simply as an American problem. Fr. Michael Hayes in Kenora gives witness to the ongoing racism he sees directed at Aboriginal people in northern Ontario, and states that the clergy must lead by example. Fr. Tom in Windsor frames the issue of racism within the larger context of the identity of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: are we a global church open to all? Or are we an ethnic church, and how do we straddle identities. Finally, Father Richard Soo, a fourth generation Chinese Canadian priest, reminds us that racism is a sin ('ethno-philetism'). He closes by sharing with us his recollection of Patriarch Sviatoslav's call to see the UGCC as a global church that is a safe home to all- and that everyone's pain and suffering can fins refuge here. These conversations take place on Zoom every Thursday night at 7p.m. EST. These are conversations you can be a part of along with clergy and laity. Anyone can join. To do so please send me an email to: Sgmetanoia@gmail.com. I am sub-deacon Shawn Goldman, thank you for joining in the Conversation. God bless!