On Being a Listening Church: The U.S. Catholic Church and Black Lives Matter

Abstract

The article explores the intersection of Black Lives Matter and the synodal process within the U.S. Catholic Church, focusing on the church’s stance on racism and racial justice. Drawing upon Pope Francis’ call for the church to become a listening church, I argue that the church currently lacks crucial elements of inclusivity, engagement with the lived experiences of the faithful, and a willingness to address conflict in the context of racial justice. I propose a closer examination of Black Lives Matter and the synodal process as a means for the church to adapt and become a genuinely attentive church, improving discussions on race relations in the United States.

Keywords

• synodality
• racism
• racial justice
• Black Lives Matter
• Open Wide Our Hearts
• whiteness